Molecular networks in Position, Momentum, and Phase Space: A Case Study on Simple Hydrocarbons

Hartmut Schmider, Minhhuy Ho

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

The notion of a molecular network as a system of local density maxima, connected by gradient paths, is extended from position space and the underlying charge density to momentum and phase space, and the momentum density and Husimi distribution, respectively. Local maxima and gradient paths are identified in a series of nine small hydrocarbonic molecules, and the resulting "molecular graphs" are interpreted in terms of symmetry and topology. For the example of a symmetric SN2 reaction, it is shown that the topology of the Husimi function based graphs can be useful for the classification of chemical species and their change. In an appendix, a few relationships among elements of the gradient and the Hessian of the Husimi distribution are derived and briefly discussed.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry
Volume100
Issue number45
Pages (from-to)17807-17819
ISSN0022-3654
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1996

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