The Concept of Density Functional Theory Based Descriptors and its Relation with the Reactivity of Molecular Systems: A Semi-Quantitative Study

In this present paper, we have made an attempt to explain the theoretical basis for the empirical hardness/softness concepts to address the reactivity of molecular complexes in a semi-quantitative way within the framework of density functional theory. A model based on local hard-soft-acid-base principle has been proposed. The results obtained using some prototype charge transfer complexes, Lewis acid-base complexes and hydrogen-bonded complexes as examples, are in good agreement with the standard ab initio values. Although the model contains ad hoc parameters, it may form the basis of semi-quantitative description of inter-molecular interactions using hardness/softness parameters. The limitation, weakness and other critical issues of the present model are also discussed.