Implementation of replica-exchange umbrella sampling in the DFTB++ semiempirical quantum chemistry package

The replica-exchange umbrella sampling (REUS) method combines replica-exchange and umbrella sampling methods and allows larger conformational sampling than conventional simulation methods. This method has been used in many studies to understand docking mechanisms and the functions of molecules. However, REUS has not been combined with quantum chemical codes. Therefore, we implemented the REUS simulation technique in the DFTB++ quantum chemistry code utilizing approximate density functional theory. We performed REUS simulations of an intra-molecular proton transfer reaction of malonaldehyde and a formation of a phthalocyanine from four phthalonitriles and one iron atom to validate the reliability of our implemented REUS–DFTB++ combination.