A new multireference coupled-cluster theory is suggested which extends the
idea of a self-consistent primary space introduced earlier (J. Chem. Phys.
108 (1998) 8317) in the context of quasidegenerate perturbation theory. The
suggested approach, which we refer to as the self-consistent quasidegenera
te coupled-cluster (SC-QDCC) method, is developed within a Hilbert space fr
amework. The method is both stable to intruder states and reduces to a come
t single-reference coupled-cluster theory; moreover, it is appropriate for
both strongly and weakly quasidegenerate systems. The theory uses canonical
normalization and produces hermitian effective Hamiltonians. (C) 1999 Else
vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.