Efficient DLPNO–CCSD(T)-Based Estimation of Formation Enthalpies for C-, H-, O-, and N-Containing Closed-Shell Compounds Validated Against Critically Evaluated Experimental Data

An accurate and cost-efficient methodology for the estimation of the enthalpies of formation for closed-shell compounds composed of C, H, O, and N atoms is presented and validated against critically evaluated experimental data. The computational efficiency is achieved through the use of the resolution-of-identity (RI) and domain-based local pair-natural orbital coupled cluster (DLPNO–CCSD(T)) approximations, which results in a drastic reduction in both the computational cost and the number of necessary steps for a composite quantum chemical method. The expanded uncertainty for the proposed methodology evaluated using a data set of 45 thoroughly vetted experimental values for molecules containing up to 12 heavy atoms is about 3 kJ·mol –1, competitive with those of typical calorimetric measurements. For the compounds within the stated scope, the methodology is shown to be superior to a representative, more general, and widely used composite quantum chemical method, G4.