Issue 21, 2025

Generalized quadratic model for charge transfer

Abstract

We present a two-parabola interpolation model that reproduces the observed behavior for the total energy as a function of fractional occupation for known density functional approximations to the Kohn–Sham exchange–correlation energy. The model is based on the second-order Taylor series expansion of the energy as a function of the electron number for a reference chemical species, and it correctly reduces to a linear regime for density functionals satisfying the ionization theorems. The use of this generalized quadratic model results in revised definitions of electrodonating and electroaccepting powers that correctly diverge for the exact functional. Further application to charge transfer processes using two hydration reaction sets shows that this quadratic generalization unequivocally distinguishes between electrophilic and nucleophilic reaction mechanisms. This distinction was unattainable with previous approximations based on one- and two-parabolas.

Graphical abstract: Generalized quadratic model for charge transfer

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 Mar 2025
Accepted
13 May 2025
First published
13 May 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2025,27, 11318-11330

Generalized quadratic model for charge transfer

A. Albavera-Mata, J. L. Gázquez and A. Vela, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2025, 27, 11318 DOI: 10.1039/D5CP00866B

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