Molecular orbital studies of the singlet and triplet states of formylmethylene conformers

The energies and geometries of the low-lying electronic states of formylmethylene have been calculated at the SCF and CI levels using 6-31G** basis set. In agreement with previous reports and accumulated experimental observations, the ground state is the carbenoid triplet with a planar geometry. Also, in agreement with all previous single configuration SCF and CI calculations, the lowest excited singlet state is computed to be the nonplanar closed shell carbenoid structure. In contrast, accumulated experimental evidence along with previously reported MC–SCF results require this state to be planar. The present calculation predicts the existence of a (σ–σ) 1,3-diradical 1A′ state, which appears to be identical to the MC–SCF lowest singlet state, but this state lies some 11 kcal/mol above the closed shell carbenoid 1A state. Apparently, single configuration SCF methods are inadequate for the correct description of the electronic manifold of formylmethylene. Key words: formylmethylene, singlet and triplet states, ab initio MO calculations, conformers, molecular structure.