Density functional theory for open-shell singlet biradicals

The description of open-shell singlet (OSS) σ–π biradicals by density functional theory (DFT) requires at least a two-configurational (TC) or, in general, a MC-DFT approach, which bears many unsolved problems. These can be avoided by reformulating the TC description in the spirit of restricted open shell theory for singlets (ROSS) and developing an exchange-correlation functional for ROSS-DFT. ROSS-DFT turns out to lead to reliable descriptions of geometry and vibrational frequencies for OSS biradicals. The relative energies of the OSS states obtained at the ROSS-B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level are often better than the corresponding ROSS-MP2 results. However, in those cases where spin polarization in a conjugated π systems plays a role, DFT predicts the triplet state related to the OSS state 2–4 kcal/mol too stable.