Knowledge Bank

Ab Initio potential energy surfaces for the two titled reactions were computed using the QCISD(T) method with the 6-311++G(2df,pd) and 6-311++G(2df,2pd) basis sets. The fitting procedure for triatomic molecules proposed by Aguado and Paniagua {(J. Chem. Phys. 96, 1265-1275 (1992))} was employed to fit these two surfaces. The purpose is to provide reliable analytical molecular potential energy functions for future theoretical studies of multi-dimensional nuclear tunneling dynames. The intrinsic reaction path from the equilibrium structure to the T-shaped saddle point is shorter fur $HF2+/F2H+$ than for $HO2-/O2H-$. The barrier of $8340cm-1$ to the former proton transfer process is however substantially higher than the barrier of $4752cm-1$ for the latter process. Splitting of vibrational energy levels is calculated from the two PESs and compared in light of their different features. Finally in order to determine the extent to which the hydrogen atoms in both the cation and the anion are truely protons partitioning of charges along the tunneling pathways will be presented.