Influence of basis sets and electron correlation on theoretically predicted infrared intensities

A systematic study of the effects of basis sets and electron correlation on calculated infrared intensities has been performed with ab initio molecular orbital calculations and Møller-Plesset perturbation theory. Absolute IR intensities of hydrogen fluoride, hydroxy radical, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and formaldehyde have been calculated with basis sets ranging from 3-21G to 6-311++G(2dd′,2pp′) and with electron correlation corrections up through MP4(SDTQ). A basis set with polarization and diffuse functions is necessary to obtain reasonably accurate intensities. Electron correlation significantly improves the agreement between experimental and calculated values. Except for carbon monoxide, the intensities calculated at the MP4 level compare favorably with experimental intensities, the errors being less than the measured difference between those obtained from inert-gas matrices at low temperature and those reported for the gas phase. © 1989 American Chemical Society.