Fukui Functions and the Dual Descriptor

Chemical reactivity can be analyzed using Fukui Functions and the Dual Descriptor. ADF provides the tools to perform this analysis. The local chemical reactivity can be described per atom via a condensed Fukui Function. Subsequently, the local softness can be determined as well. The Fukui Functions and the Dual Descriptor can be visualized in the GUI with ADFview.

Step 1: Setting up the calculation

Start ADFinput
Build the carbon monoxide molecule using the search function
Set the XC functional to GGA BP86
Open the Fukui tab in Properties → Fukui Functions
Check both Fukui options

Here you can specify which Fukui functions you want to calculate. Both can be calculated at the same time, and is also required for the Dual Descriptor. The default way to calculate the Fukui functions is to add or subtract a whole electron. However, it is possible to use fractional charges by modifying the Charge change parameter.

../_images/t16-fukuisettings.png
Open the Bader tab in Properties → Other: Etot, Bader, Charge Transport, ...
Check the Bader option for Critical points, bond paths and atomic properties

The condensed Fukui Functions and local softness are calculated using atomic charges. By default the Hirshfeld, Voronoi and Mulliken charges are used. The Bader charges can be used as well if they are calculated.

Use File → Save As to save the file as ‘CO_Fukui’
Run the calculation

Step 2: The output

The condensed Fukui Functions and the local softness can be found in the output file of the main calculation.

Open the output file with ADFoutput
Go to the Condensed Fukui section by Properties → Condensed Fukui
../_images/t16-output.png

The condensed Fukui functions are given per atom, with the various atomic charge methods. The same applies for the local softness.

Step 3: Visualizing the Fukui functions and Dual Descriptor

The Fukui functions can be visualized in ADFview, using the electron density.

Set the grid size to medium Fields → Grid → Medium
Add an isosurface with phase Add → Isosurface: With Phase
At the bottom of the screen choose the Properties → Fukui Plus
The instruction on the screen asks for the result file of the Fukui Plus calculation
Choose CO_Fukui.plus.t21
Enable the second checkbox for the field to use the wireframe model
../_images/t16-fukuiplus.png

ADFview will create some calculated fields to combine the spin densities for the unrestricted calculations, and calculates the Fukui plus function. The wireframe model allows us to see any hidden isosurface. Another way to do this is by lowering the opacity in the field details.

Disable the field
Create a new isosurface with phase
At the bottom of the screen (in “Select Field...”) choose Properties → Fukui Dual Descriptor
The fukui plus function is already loaded, the instruction now asks for the missing Fukui Minus calculation
Choose CO_Fukui.minus.t21
Enable the second checkbox for the field to use the wireframe model
../_images/t16-dualdescriptor.png