Diffusion Monte Carlo calculations of zero-point structures of partially deuterated isotopologues of H7(+)

J Phys Chem B. 2014 Jul 17;118(28):8221-6. doi: 10.1021/jp501371z. Epub 2014 Apr 4.

Abstract

Diffusion Monte Carlo calculations for all the deuterated H7(+) isotopologues and isotopomers were performed to determine their zero-point energies, and thus the stability of them. Based on these calculations, we conclude that the deuterium atom prefers the unbonded position in the central H3(+), and then the bonded position in H3(+). When two deuterium atoms are in the outer H2 units, forming a D2 is more stable than one deuterium in each H2 unit. We also discovered that some unstable isotopomers can rearrange to a more stable isotopomer through two types of isomerization: one is that a new H3(+) core is formed with more deuterium atoms in it; the other is that the deuterium in the central H3(+) goes from the interior (the bonded position) to the exterior (the unbonded position) while the number of deuterium atoms in the H3(+) does not change. Three transition states related to the isomerization were identified, two of which have not been reported previously. The corresponding reaction paths were also determined.