Basis Set
Basis Set
Syllabus
Syllabus:: Introduction to computational chemistry - quantum mechanics - schrodinger
equation. Types of calculations – single point energy, geometry optimization, frequency
prediction - Brief introduction of computational methods - Ab initio method, semi-empirical
Learn to generate Hirshfeld surfaces, study the interaction energies and draw
method, Density Functional Theory method, Molecular mechanics. Basis Sets - minimal basis
the electrostatic
sets, potential
split valence basis map using
sets, polarized Crystal
basis Explorer
sets, Diffuse Software.
functions, High angular momentum
basis sets.
Introduction
Basis set
❖ Minimal basis sets contain the minimum number of basis functions that are
❖ It uses three gaussian primitives per basis function (“3G”). “STO” stands for
“Slater type orbitals”, and the STO-3G basis set approximates Slater orbitals with
gaussian functions.
❖ One way to increase the size of a basis set is to take more basis functions per
atom.
❖ Split valence basis sets, such as 3-21G and 6-31G basis sets, have two (or more)
❖ For example, in the above 3- 21G and 6-31G basis sets we have:
H: 1s s
❖ The double zeta valence basis sets form molecular orbitals from the linear
❖ Similarly, triple split valence basis sets such as 6-311G, use three sets of
❖ Split valence basis sets could be improved by adding orbitals with different
shapes.
❖ Polarized basis sets add orbitals with angular momentums going beyond of
requirement for the proper description of the ground state of each atom at the HF
level.
❖ For example, polarized basis sets add to carbon atoms and some of them add to
hydrogen atoms.
❖ Examples for polarized basis sets are the 6- 31G(d) and the 6-311G(d, p) basis
sets.
❖ Examples: STO-3G – each occupied atomic orbital is constructed from three
gaussian functions. 3-21G
Diffused functions
❖ Basis sets with additional diffuse functions are large by size versions of s- and p-
type split valence basis sets.
❖ Diffuse orbitals occupy a larger region of space.
❖ Basis sets with diffuse functions are important for systems where electrons may
be far from the nucleus.
❖ One example for diffuse basis function is the 6-311+G(d, p) basis set.