Harmonic vibrational frequencies: An evaluation of Hartree-Fock, Moller-Plesset, quadratic configuration interaction, density functional theory, and semiempirical scale factors

Scaling factors for obtaining fundamental vibrational frequencies, low-frequency vibrations, zero-point vibrational energies (ZPVE), and thermal contributions to enthalpy and entropy from harmonic frequencies determined at 19 levels of theory have been derived through a least-squares approach. Semiempirical methods (AM1 and PM3), conventional uncorrelated and correlated ab initio molecular orbital procedures [Hartree-Fock (HF), Moller-Plesset (MP2), and quadratic configuration interaction including single and double substitutions (QCISD)], and several variants of density functional theory (DFT: B-LYP, B-P86, B3-LYP, B3-P86, and B3-PW91) have been examined in conjunction with the 3-21G, 6-31G(d), 6-31+G(d), 6-31G(d,p), 6-311G(d,p), and 6-311G(df,p) basis sets. The scaling factors for the theoretical harmonic vibrational frequencies were determined by a comparison with the corresponding experimental fundamentals utilizing a total of 1066 individual vibrations. Scaling factors suitable for low-frequency vibrations were obtained from least-squares fits of inverse frequencies. ZPVE scaling factors were obtained from a comparison of the computed ZPVEs (derived from theoretically determined harmonic vibrational frequencies) with ZPVEs determined from experimental harmonic frequencies and anharmonicity corrections for a set of 39 molecules. Finally, scaling factors for theoretical frequencies that are applicable for the computation of thermal contributions to enthalpy and entropy have been derived. A complete set of recommended scale factors is presented. The most successful procedures overall are B3-PW91/6-31G(d), B3-LYP/6-31G(d), and HF/631G(d).