Algebraic Diagrammatic Construction Schemes Employing the Intermediate State Formalism: Theory, Capabilities, and Interpretation.

Algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) schemes represent a family of ab initio methods for the calculation of excited electronic states and electron-detached and -attached states. All ADC methods have been demonstrated to possess great potential for molecular applications, e.g., for the calculation of absorption or photoelectron spectra or electron attachment processes. ADC originates from Green's function or propagator theory; however, most recent ADC developments heavily rely on the intermediate state representation or effective Liouvillian formalisms, which comprise new ADC methods and computational schemes for high-order properties. The different approaches for the calculation of excitation energies, ionization potentials, and electron affinities are intimately related, and they provide a coherent description of these quantities at equivalent levels of theory and with comparable errors. Most quantum chemical program packages contain ADC methods; however, the most complete ADC suite of methods can be found in the recent release of Q-Chem.

Tuning UV Pump X-ray Probe Spectroscopy on the Nitrogen K Edge Reveals the Radiationless Relaxation of Pyrazine: Ab Initio Simulations Using the Quasiclassical Doorway-Window Approximation.

Transient absorption UV pump X-ray probe spectroscopy has been established as a versatile technique for the exploration of ultrafast photoinduced dynamics in valence-excited states. In this work, an ab initio theoretical framework for the simulation of time-resolved UV pump X-ray probe spectra is presented. The method is based on the description of the radiation-matter interaction in the classical doorway-window approximation and a surface-hopping algorithm for the nonadiabatic nuclear excited-state dynamics. Using the second-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction scheme for excited states, UV pump X-ray probe signals were simulated for the carbon and nitrogen K edges of pyrazine, assuming a duration of 5 fs of the UV pump and X-ray probe pulses. It is predicted that spectra measured at the nitrogen K edge carry much richer information about the ultrafast nonadiabatic dynamics in the valence-excited states of pyrazine than those measured at the carbon K edge.

Exploring the accuracy and usefulness of semi-empirically scaled ADC schemes by blending second and third order terms.

Different approaches to mixed-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) schemes are investigated. The performance of two different strategies for scaling third-order contributions to the ADC secular matrix is evaluated. Both considered schemes employ a single tuning parameter and conserve general properties inherent to all ADC methods, such as hermiticity and size-consistency. The first approach, scaled-matrix ADC[(2) + x(3)], scales all contributions first occurring in ADC(3) equally and leads to an improvement of the accuracy of excitation energies compared to ADC(3) for x = 0.4-0.5. However, with respect to excited state dipole moments, this method provides lower accuracy than ADC(3). The second scaling approach, MP[(1) + x(2)] - ISR(3), scales the second order contributions of the ground-state wavefunction and derives a rigorous ADC scheme via the intermediate state representation formalism. Although the error in excitation energies is not improved, this method provides insight into the relevance of the individual terms of the ADC(3) matrix and indicates that the MP(2) wavefunction is, indeed, the optimal reference wavefunction for deriving a third-order single-reference ADC scheme.

Theoretical analysis and comparison of unitary coupled-cluster and algebraic-diagrammatic construction methods for ionization.

This article describes a novel approach for the calculation of ionization potentials (IPs), or, more generally, electron-detachment energies, based on a unitary coupled-cluster (UCC) parameterization of the ground-state wave function. Explicit working equations for a scheme referred to as IP-UCC3 are given, providing electron-detachment energies and spectroscopic amplitudes of electron-detached states dominated by one-hole excitations correct through third order. In the derivation, an expansion of the UCC transformed Hamiltonian involving Bernoulli numbers as expansion coefficients is employed. Both the secular matrix and the effective transition moments are shown to be essentially equivalent to the strict third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction scheme for the electron propagator (IP-ADC). Interestingly, due to the Bernoulli expansion, neglecting triple substitutions in the UCC expansion manifold does not affect the third-order consistency of the IP-UCC effective transition moments. Finally, the equivalence between ADC and UCC excited-state schemes is shown to not hold in fourth or higher order due to a different treatment of the correlated excited-state basis.

Vertical ionization potential benchmark for unitary coupled-cluster and algebraic-diagrammatic construction methods.

The performance of several methods for the calculation of vertical ionization potentials (IPs) or, more generally, electron-detachment energies based on unitary coupled-cluster (UCC) theory and the algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme is evaluated with respect to benchmark data computed at the level of equation-of-motion coupled-cluster theory, including single, double, and triple excitations (IP-EOM-CCSDT). Based on a statistical evaluation of about 200 electron-detached states of 41 molecules, the second-order methods IP-ADC(2) and IP-UCC2 show modest accuracies with IP-EOM-CCSDT as reference, exposing a mean signed error and a standard deviation of the error of -0.54 ± 0.50 and -0.49 ± 0.54 eV, respectively, accompanied by a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.61 and 0.58 eV, respectively. The strict third-order IP-ADC method demonstrates an accuracy of 0.26 ± 0.35 eV (MAE = 0.35 eV), while the IP-UCC3 method is slightly more accurate with 0.24 ± 0.26 eV (MAE = 0.29 eV). Employing the static self-energy computed using the Dyson expansion method (DEM) improves the IP-ADC(3) performance to 0.27 ± 0.28 eV, with the mean absolute error of this method being 0.32 eV. However, employing the simpler improved fourth-order scheme Σ(4+) for the static self-energy provides almost identical results as the DEM. Based on the quality of the present benchmark results, it therefore appears not necessary to use the computationally more demanding DEM.

Software for the frontiers of quantum chemistry: An overview of developments in the Q-Chem 5 package.

This article summarizes technical advances contained in the fifth major release of the Q-Chem quantum chemistry program package, covering developments since 2015. A comprehensive library of exchange-correlation functionals, along with a suite of correlated many-body methods, continues to be a hallmark of the Q-Chem software. The many-body methods include novel variants of both coupled-cluster and configuration-interaction approaches along with methods based on the algebraic diagrammatic construction and variational reduced density-matrix methods. Methods highlighted in Q-Chem 5 include a suite of tools for modeling core-level spectroscopy, methods for describing metastable resonances, methods for computing vibronic spectra, the nuclear-electronic orbital method, and several different energy decomposition analysis techniques. High-performance capabilities including multithreaded parallelism and support for calculations on graphics processing units are described. Q-Chem boasts a community of well over 100 active academic developers, and the continuing evolution of the software is supported by an "open teamware" model and an increasingly modular design.

CAP/EA-ADC method for metastable anions: Computational aspects and application to π* resonances of norbornadiene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene.

The second- and third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction schemes for the electron propagator for studies of electron attachment processes [EA-ADC(2) and EA-ADC(3)] have been extended to include the complex absorbing potential (CAP) method for the treatment of electronic resonances. Theoretical and conceptual aspects of the new CAP/EA-ADC methodology are studied in detail at the example of the well-known 2Πg resonance of the nitrogen anion N2 -. The methodology is further applied to π* shape resonances, for which ethylene is considered as a prototype. Furthermore, the first many-body treatment of the π+ * and π- * resonances of norbornadiene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene is provided, which have served as model systems for the concept of through-space and through-bond interactions for a long time.

Intermediate state representation approach to physical properties of molecular electron-attached states: Theory, implementation, and benchmarking.

Computational schemes for comprehensive studies of molecular electron-attached states and the calculation of electron affinities (EAs) are formulated and implemented employing the intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism and the algebraic-diagrammatic construction approximation for the electron propagator (EA-ADC). These EA-ADC(n)/ISR(m) schemes allow for a consistent treatment of not only electron affinities and pole strengths up to third-order of perturbation theory (n = 3) but also one-electron properties of electron-attached states up to second order (m = 2). The EA-ADC/ISR equations were implemented in the Q-Chem program for Sz-adapted intermediate states, allowing also open-shell systems to be studied using unrestricted Hartree-Fock references. For benchmarking of the EA-(U)ADC/ISR schemes, EAs and dipole moments of various electron-attached states of small closed- and open-shell molecules were computed and compared to full configuration interaction data. As an illustrative example, EA-ADC(3)/ISR(2) has been applied to the thymine-thymine (6-4) DNA photolesion.

Intermediate state representation approach to physical properties of molecular electron-detached states. II. Benchmarking.

The third-order algebraic-diagrammatic construction method for studies of electron detachment processes within the electron propagator framework [IP-ADC(3)] was extended to treat the properties of molecular states with a detached electron using the intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism. The second-order ISR(2) equations for the one-particle (transition) density matrix have been derived and implemented as an extension of the IP-(U)ADC(3) method available in the Q-CHEM program. As a first systematic test of the present IP-(U)ADC(3)/ISR(2) method, the dipole moments of various electronic states of closed- and open-shell molecules have been computed and compared to full configuration interaction (FCI) results. The present study employing FCI benchmarks also provides the first rigorous estimates for the accuracy of electron detachment energies obtained using the IP-ADC(3) method.

Intermediate state representation approach to physical properties of molecular electron-detached states. I. Theory and implementation.

The third-order non-Dyson algebraic-diagrammatic construction approach to the electron propagator [IP-ADC(3)] is extended using the intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism, allowing the wave functions and properties of molecular states with detached electron to be studied. The second-order ISR equations [ISR(2)] for the one-particle (transition) density matrix have been derived and implemented in the Q-CHEM program. The approach is completely general and enables evaluation of arbitrary one-particle operators and interpretation of electron detachment processes in terms of density-based quantities. The IP-ADC(3)/ISR(2) equations were implemented for Sz-adapted intermediate states, allowing open-shell molecules to be studied using unrestricted Hartree-Fock references. As a first test for computations of ground state properties, dipole moments of various closed- and open-shell molecules have been computed by means of electron detachment from the corresponding anions. The results are in good agreement with experimental data. The potential of IP-ADC(3)/ISR(2) for the interpretation of photoelectron spectra is demonstrated for the galvinoxyl free radical.

Probing competing relaxation pathways in malonaldehyde with transient X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Excited-state intramolecular hydrogen transfer (ESIHT) is a fundamental reaction relevant to chemistry and biology. Malonaldehyde is the simplest example of ESIHT, yet only little is known experimentally about its excited-state dynamics. Several competing relaxation pathways have been proposed, including internal conversion mediated by ESIHT and C[double bond, length as m-dash]C torsional motion as well as intersystem crossing. We perform an in silico transient X-ray absorption spectroscopy (TRXAS) experiment at the oxygen K-edge to investigate its potential to monitor the proposed ultrafast decay pathways in malonaldehyde upon photoexcitation to its bright S2(ππ*) state. We employ both restricted active space perturbation theory and algebraic-diagrammatic construction for the polarization propagator along interpolated reaction coordinates as well as representative trajectories from ab initio multiple spawning simulations to compute the TRXAS signals from the lowest valence states. Our study suggests that oxygen K-edge TRXAS can distinctly fingerprint the passage through the H-transfer intersection and the concomitant population transfer to the S1(nπ*) state. Potential intersystem crossing to T1(ππ*) is detectable from reappearance of the double pre-edge signature and reversed intensities. Moreover, the torsional deactivation pathway induces transient charge redistribution from the enol side towards the central C-atom and manifests itself as substantial shifts of the pre-edge features. Given the continuous advances in X-ray light sources, our study proposes an experimental route to disentangle ultrafast excited-state decay channels in this prototypical ESIHT system and provides a pathway-specific mapping of the TRXAS signal to facilitate the interpretation of future experiments.

Algebraic-diagrammatic construction scheme for the polarization propagator including ground-state coupled-cluster amplitudes. I. Excitation energies.

An ad hoc modification of the algebraic-diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme for the polarization propagator is presented. Within this approach, all first-order Møller-Plesset correlation coefficients occurring in the second-order ADC secular matrix are replaced by amplitudes obtained from a coupled cluster doubles (CCD) calculation. This new hybrid method, denoted CCD-ADC(2), has been tested on a series of small diatomic and triatomic molecules and benchmarked with respect to Thiel's benchmark set of medium-sized organic molecules. For the latter, the calculation of 134 singlet and 71 triplet states has shown that CCD-ADC(2) exhibits a mean error and standard deviation of 0.15 ± 0.34 eV for singlet states and 0.0 ± 0.17 eV for triplet states with respect to the provided theoretical best estimates, whereas standard ADC(2) has a mean error and standard deviation of 0.22 ± 0.30 eV for singlet and 0.12 ± 0.16 eV for triplet states. The corresponding extended second-order schemes ADC(2)-x and CCD-ADC(2)-x revealed accuracies of -0.70 ± 0.32 eV and -0.76 ± 0.33 eV for singlet states and -0.55 ± 0.20 eV and -0.67 ± 0.22 eV for triplet states, respectively. Furthermore, the investigation of excited-state potential energy curves along the dissociation of the N2 molecule has shown that the higher reliability of the ground-state CCD method as compared to MP2 is also inherent to the excited states. While the curves obtained at the ADC(2) level break down at around 2 Å, the ones obtained at CCD-ADC(2) remain reasonable up to about 3.5 Å.

Efficient implementation of the non-Dyson third-order algebraic diagrammatic construction approximation for the electron propagator for closed- and open-shell molecules.

A novel efficient implementation of the non-Dyson algebraic diagrammatic construction (ADC) scheme of the (N - 1)-part of the electron propagator up to third order of perturbation theory is presented. Due to the underlying spin-orbital formulation, for the first time, the computation of ionization potentials of open-shell radicals is thus possible via non-Dyson ADC schemes. Thorough evaluation of the accuracy, applicability, and capabilities of the new method reveals a mean error of 0.15 eV for closed- as well as open-shell atoms and molecules.

Gold-catalyzed intermolecular addition of carbonyl compounds to 1,6-enynes: reactivity, scope, and mechanistic aspects.

A full account of a recently discovered gold(I)-catalyzed reaction, a cycloaddition of carbonyl compounds to enynes yielding 2-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes with four stereogenic centers, is presented. The reaction proceeds with very high diastereoselectivity. The scope of the reaction has been investigated. In addition, experiments and DFT calculations concerning mechanistic aspects were carried out. The reaction course varies with the substitution pattern of the alkene moiety of the starting enyne. Branched olefins led to 2-oxabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes; terminally substituted olefins proceeded with the incorporation of two carbonyl components to give hexahydrocyclopenta[d][1,3]dioxines.