Semi‐empirical calculations of molecular trajectories: Method and applications to some simple molecular systems

Abstract

Abstract The MNDO Hamiltonian as incorporated within MOPAC has been utilized to predict dynamics for some simple reactions. In one option, the intrinsic reaction coordinate has been followed along the path of steepest descent from the transition state backward to reactants and forward to products. In a second option, dynamics of isolated molecular systems have been calculated. In each case, the potential surface (as predicted by the MNDO Hamiltonian) is calculated in situ as the atomic trajectories are calculated from Newton's Laws of Motion. Several specific examples are given and discussed.