The Structure and Stability of B(n)H(+) Clusters

Abstract

The geometries of the B(n)H(+) clusters for n=1-13 have been optimized at the B3LYP level of theory. Excluding B2H(+) all clusters are low-spin coupled. The structures appear to be related to the bare B(+)(n) clusters in two ways: 1) an H atom is added to the B(+)(n) cluster or 2) a BH is added to the B(+)(n-1) cluster. The B(+)(n)-H binding energies are computed at the B3LYP level of theory, and calibrated n using the CCSD(T) level of theory. The computed results tend to fall between the experimental best estimates and the experimental lower bounds. The B(+)(n)-H binding energies show an inverse correspondence with the B+(n-1)-B values) while the B(+)(n-1)-B and B(+)(n-1)-BH results tend to parallel each other.