The block correlated coupled cluster (BCCC) method, with the complete active-space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) reference function, has been applied to investigating the singlet-triplet gaps in several substituted carbenes including four halocarbenes (CHCl, CF2, CCl2, and CBr2) and two hydroxycar-benes (CHOH and C(OH)2). A comparison of our results with the experimental data and other theoretical estimates shows that the present approach can provide quantitative descriptions for all the studied carbenes. It is demonstrated that the CAS-BCCC method is a promising theoretical tool for calculating the electronic structures of diradicals.
Molecular dynamics simulations based on AMBER force fields(ff96 and ff03) and generalized Born models(igb1 and igb5) have been carried out in order to study folding/unfolding of the Trp-cage mini-protein TC5b.The thermodynamic properties of TC5b were found to be sensitive to the specific version of the solvation model and force field employed.When the ff96/igb5 combination was used,the predicted melting temperature from unfolding simulations was in good agreement with the experimental value of 315 K,but the folding simulation did not converge.The most stable thermodynamic profile in both folding and unfolding simulations was obtained when the ff03/igb5 combination was employed,and the predicted melting temperature was about 345 K,showing over-stabilization of the protein.Simulations using the igb1 version in combination with ff96 or ff03 were difficult to converge within the simulation time limit(50 ns).
The performances of several multireference electronic structure methods including complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF)-based second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2), multireference configuration interaction with single and double excitations (MR-CISD), MR-CISD with the Davidson correction (MR-CISD+Q), and the CASSCF-based block-correlated coupled cluster method (CAS-BCCC4) we developed recently are compared by applying them to study several different chemical problems involving computation of ground state potential energy surfaces, the singlet-triplet gaps in diradicals, reaction barriers, and the excitation energies of low-lying excited states. Comparison with the results from other highly accurate theoretical methods or the available experimental data demonstrate that for all the problems studied, the overall performance of CAS-BCCC4 is competitive with that of MR-CISD+Q, and better than that of CASPT2 and MR-CISD methods. Thus the CAS-BCCC4 approach is expected to be a promising theoretical method for quantitative descriptions of the electronic structures of molecules with noticeable multireference character.
A series of theoretical approaches,including conventional FF03 and FF03-based polarization model,as well as the generalized energy-based fragmentation(GEBF) quantum chemistry method,have been applied to investigate the interactions between acetate ion(CH3COO-) and the α-subunit of human adult hemoglobin(designated as Hb-α) at four binding sites(Lys16,Lys90,Arg92,and Lys127),respectively.The FF03-based polarizable force fields show that the interaction energies between the CH3COO-group and Hb-α follow the trend of Arg92>Lys127>Lys90>Lys16.The complexation of CH3COO-with Hb-α is governed by the long-range electrostatic interactions and steric effect.
