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Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) within a restricted excitation space is an efficient means to compute core-level excitation energies using only a small subset of the occupied orbitals. However, core-to-valence excitation energies are significantly underestimated when standard exchange–correlation functionals are used, which is partly traceable to systemic issues with TD-DFT's description of Rydberg and charge-transfer excited states. To mitigate this, we have implemented an empirically modified combination of configuration interaction with single substitutions (CIS) based on Kohn–Sham orbitals, which is known as "DFT/CIS." This semi-empirical approach is well-suited for simulating x-ray near-edge spectra, as it contains sufficient exact exchange to model charge-transfer excitations yet retains DFT's low-cost description of dynamical electron correlation. Empirical corrections to the matrix elements enable semi-quantitative simulation of near-edge x-ray spectra without the need for significant a posteriori shifts; this should be useful in complex molecules and materials with multiple overlapping x-ray edges. Parameter optimization for use with a specific range-separated hybrid functional makes this a black-box method intended for both core and valence spectroscopy. Results herein demonstrate that realistic K-edge absorption and emission spectra can be obtained for second- and third-row elements and 3d transition metals, with promising results for L-edge spectra as well. DFT/CIS calculations require absolute shifts that are considerably smaller than what is typical in TD-DFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

The CO2 ν3 asymmetric stretching mode is established as a vibrational chromophore for ultrafast two-dimensional infrared (2D-IR) spectroscopic studies of local structure and dynamics in ionic liquids, which are of interest for carbon capture applications. CO2 is dissolved in a series of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium-based ionic liquids ([C4C1im][X], where [X]- is the anion from the series hexafluorophosphate (PF6-), tetrafluoroborate (BF4-), bis-(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimide (Tf2N-), triflate (TfO-), trifluoroacetate (TFA-), dicyanamide (DCA-), and thiocyanate (SCN-)). In the ionic liquids studied, the ν3 center frequency is sensitive to the local solvation environment and reports on the timescales for local structural relaxation. Density functional theory calculations predict charge transfer from the anion to the CO2 and from CO2 to the cation. The charge transfer drives geometrical distortion of CO2, which in turn changes the ν3 frequency. The observed structural relaxation timescales vary by up to an order of magnitude between ionic liquids. Shoulders in the 2D-IR spectra arise from anharmonic coupling of the ν2 and ν3 normal modes of CO2. Thermal fluctuations in the ν2 population stochastically modulate the ν3 frequency and generate dynamic cross-peaks. These timescales are attributed to the breakup of ion cages that create a well-defined local environment for CO2. The results suggest that the picosecond dynamics of CO2 are gated by local diffusion of anions and cations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work elucidates the molecular binding mechanism of CO2 in [C4C1IM][PF6] ionic liquid (IL) and its interplay with the CO2 asymmetric stretch frequency v3, and establishes computational protocols for the reliable construction of spectroscopic maps for simulating ultrafast 2D-IR data of CO2 solvated in ILs. While charge transfer drives the static frequency shift between different ionic liquids (J. Chem. Phys.2015142 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infrared spectra of EDTA complexed with Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ contain, to date, unidentified vibrational bands. This study assigns the peaks in the linear and two-dimensional infrared spectra of EDTA, with and without either Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ ions. Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy and DFT calculations reveal that, in both the presence and absence of ions, the carboxylate symmetric stretch and the terminal CH bending vibrations mix. We introduce a method to calculate participation coefficients that quantify the contribution of the carboxylate symmetric stretch, CH wag, CH twist, and CH scissor in the 1400-1550 cm -1 region. With the help of participation coefficients, we assign the 1400-1430 cm -1 region to the carboxylate symmetric stretch, which can mix with CH modes. We assign the 1000-1380 cm -1 region to CH twist modes, the 1380-1430 cm -1 region to wag modes, and the 1420-1650 cm -1 region to scissor modes. The difference in binding geometry between the carboxylate-Ca 2+ and carboxylate-Mg 2+ complex manifests as new diagonal and cross-peaks between the mixed modes in the two complexes. The small Mg 2+ ion binds EDTA tighter than the Ca 2+ ion, which causes a redshift of the COO symmetric stretches of the sagittal carboxylates. Energy decomposition analysis further characterizes the importance of electrostatics and deformation energy in the bound complexes.