The 'tailored' CCSD(T) description of the automerization of cyclobutadiene

An alternative route to extend the CCSD(T) approach to multireference problems is presented. The well-known defect of the CCSD(T) model in describing the non-dynamic electron correlation effects is remedied by 'tailoring' the underlying coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) approach and applying the perturbative triples correction to it. The TCCSD(T) approach suggested in the paper has the same computational demands as the CCSD(T) method, though being mostly free from its drawbacks pertinent to multireference (quasidegenerate) situations. To test the approach we calculate the potential energy surface for the automerization of cyclobutadiene where the transition state exhibits a strong multireference character. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.