<i>Ab initio</i>calculations with small ellipsoidal gaussian basis sets. I

Abstract

The use of ellipsoidal gaussian type orbitals in ab initio calculations on molecular systems of small and intermediate size is demonstrated, in both non-linear and SCF MO schemes. The method is an extension of Frost's Floating Gaussian Orbital Method. Results for conformational properties (barriers to internal rotation in ethane and 1,3-butadiene) are better than those obtained with basis sets containing only spherical gaussians. The usefulness of very small basis sets is discussed.