Optimization of the r(2)SCAN-3c Composite Electronic-Structure Method for Use with Slater-Type Orbital Basis Sets

[Image: see text] The “Swiss army knife” composite density functional electronic-structure method r(2)SCAN-3c (J. Chem. Phys.2021, 154, 064103) is extended and optimized for the use with Slater-type orbital basis sets. The meta generalized-gradient approximation (meta-GGA) functional r(2)SCAN by Furness et al. is combined with a tailor-made polarized triple-ζ Slater-type atomic orbital (STO) basis set (mTZ2P), the semiclassical London dispersion correction (D4), and a geometrical counterpoise (gCP) correction. Relativistic effects are treated explicitly with the scalar-relativistic zeroth-order regular approximation (SR-ZORA). The performance of the new implementation is assessed on eight geometry and 74 energy benchmark sets, including the extensive GMTKN55 database as well as recent sets such as ROST61 and IONPI19. In geometry optimizations, the STO-based r(2)SCAN-3c is either on par with or more accurate than the hybrid density functional approximation M06-2X-D3(0)/TZP. In energy calculations, the overall accuracy is similar to the original implementation of r(2)SCAN-3c with Gaussian-type atomic orbitals (GTO), but basic properties, intermolecular noncovalent interactions, and barrier heights are better described with the STO approach, resulting in a lower weighted mean absolute deviation (WTMAD-2(STO) = 7.15 vs 7.50 kcal mol(–1) with the original method) for the GMTKN55 database. The STO-optimized r(2)SCAN-3c outperforms many conventional hybrid/QZ approaches in most common applications at a fraction of their cost. The reliable, robust, and accurate r(2)SCAN-3c implementation with STOs is a promising alternative to the original implementation with GTOs and can be generally used for a broad field of quantum chemical problems.