Quantum chemistry composite methods (also referred to as thermochemical recipes) are computational chemistry methods that aim for high accuracy by combining the results of several calculations. They combine methods with a high level of theory and a small basis set with methods that employ lower levels of theory with larger basis sets. They are commonly used to calculate thermodynamic quantities such as enthalpies of formation, atomization energies, ionization energies and electron affinities. They aim for chemical accuracy which is usually defined as within 1 kcal/mol of the experimental value. The first systematic model chemistry of this type with broad applicability was called Gaussian-1 (G1) introduced by John Pople. This was quickly replaced by the Gaussian-2 (G2) which has been used extensively. The Gaussian-3 (G3) was introduced later. Gaussian-n theories Gaussian-2 (G2) The G2 uses seven calculations: the molecular geometry is obtained by a MP2 optimization using the 6-31G(d) basis set and all electrons included in the perturbation. This geometry is used for all subsequent calculations. The highest level of theory is a quadratic configuration interaction calculation with single and double excitations and a triples excitation contribution (QCISD(T)) with the 6-311G(d) basis set. Such a calculation in the Gaussian and Spartan programs also give the MP2 and MP4 energies which are also used. The effect of polarization functions is assessed using an MP4 calculation with the 6-311G(2df,p) basis set. The effect of diffuse functions is assessed using an MP4 calculation with the 6-311+G(d, p) basis set. The largest basis set is 6-311+G(3df,2p) used at the MP2 level of theory. A Hartree–Fock geometry optimization with the 6-31G(d) basis set used to give a geometry for: A frequency calculation with the 6-31G(d) basis set to obtain the zero-point vibrational energy (ZPVE) The various energy changes are assumed to be additive so the combined energy is given by: EQCISD(T) from 2 + [EMP4 from 3 - EMP4 from 2] + [EMP4 from 4 - EMP4 from 2] + [EMP2 from 5 + EMP2 from 2 - EMP2 from 3 - EMP2 from 4] The second term corrects for the effect of adding the polarization functions. The third term corrects for the diffuse functions. The final term corrects for the larger basis set with the terms from steps 2, 3 and 4 preventing contributions from being counted twice. Two final corrections are made to this energy. The ZPVE is scaled by 0.8929. An empirical correction