Molecular orbital analysis of the hydrogen bonded water dimer

As an essential interaction in nature, hydrogen bonding plays a crucial role in many material formations and biological processes, requiring deeper understanding. Here, using density functional theory and post-Hartree-Fock methods, we reveal two hydrogen bonding molecular orbitals crossing the hydrogen-bond’s O and H atoms in the water dimer. Energy decomposition analysis also shows a non-negligible contribution of the induction term. Our finding sheds light on the essential understanding of hydrogen bonding in ice, liquid water, functional materials and biological systems.