Electron self-exchange reactions Marcus theory

The Marcus theory provides an appropriate formalism for calculating the rate constant of an outer-sphere redox reaction from a set of non-kinetic parameters[347 350]. The simplest possible process is a self-exchange reaction, where AG = 0. In an outer-sphere electron self-exchange reaction the electron is transferred within the precursor complex (Eq. 11.5). 

The theoretical results obtained for outer-sphere electron transfer based on self-exchange reactions provide the essential background for discussing the interplay between theory and experiment in a variety of electron transfer processes. The next topic considered is outer-sphere electron transfer for net reactions where AG O and application of the Marcus cross reaction equation for correlating experimental data. A consideration of reactions for which AG is highly favorable leads to some peculiar features and the concept of electron transfer in the inverted region and, also, excited state decay. 

Thus the Marcus theory gives rise to a free energy relationship of a type similar to those commonly used in physical organic chemistry. It can be transformed into other relationships (see below) which can easily be subjected to experimental tests. Foremost among these are the remarkably simple relationships that were developed (Marcus, 1963) for what have been denoted cross reactions. All non-bonded electron-transfer processes between two different species can actually be formulated as cross reactions of two self-exchange reactions. Thus the cross reaction of (59) and (60) is (61), and, neglecting a small electrostatic effect, the relationship between kn, k22 and kl2... 

It was recently shown (Ratner and Levine, 1980) that the Marcus cross-relation (62) can be derived rigorously for the case that / = 1 by a thermodynamic treatment without postulating any microscopic model of the activation process. The only assumptions made were (1) the activation process for each species is independent of its reaction partner, and (2) the activated states of the participating species (A, [A-], B and [B ]+) are the same for the self-exchange reactions and for the cross reaction. Note that the following assumptions need not be made (3) applicability of the Franck-Condon principle, (4) validity of the transition-state theory, (5) parabolic potential energy curves, (6) solvent as a dielectric continuum and (7) electron transfer is... 

Many electron transfer reactions of inorganic radicals conform to the outer-sphere model and hence can be modeled with the Marcus theory of electron transfer.71 This model relies, in part, on the concept of self-exchange reactions, and the inference that self-exchange reactions can be defined for radicals. For many years, it was simply... 

The rate constants, 12, of redox reactions proceeding via the outer-sphere mechanism, for example, reaction (50) (105), depend, according to the Marcus theory (85-87) (Eqs. 54 and 55), on the equilibrium constant of the cross-reaction, iiLi2, and on the electron self-exchange rate constants, and 22> of the redox couples. 

The Marcus theory also allows to compare homogeneous electron-transfer reactions with the same reactions at electrode surfaces and cross-reaction rates in terms of the individual self-exchange reactions, that is, A.i 2 = l/2(A.i4 + 2.2,2)-Experimental verification over 20 orders of magnitude has been the greatest success of this theory. 

ABSTRACT. A theoretical study of the electron self-exchange in porphyrins and in cytochrome c, and of the free-energy dependence of poq)hyrin-cytochrome c systems ows that these reactions are not easily amenable to an explanation in the framework of the theory of Marcus. On the other hand the intersecting-state model can be used to calculate the self-exchange rates and ] ovide an useful rationalization of the free-energy relationsh obs ed in these systems. 

This section contains a brief review of the molecular version of Marcus theory, as developed by Warshel [81]. The free energy surface for an electron transfer reaction is shown schematically in Eigure 1, where R represents the reactants and A, P represents the products D and A , and the reaction coordinate X is the degree of polarization of the solvent. The subscript o for R and P denotes the equilibrium values of R and P, while P is the Eranck-Condon state on the P-surface. The activation free energy, AG, can be calculated from Marcus theory by Eq. (4). This relation is based on the assumption that the free energy is a parabolic function of the polarization coordinate. Eor self-exchange transfer reactions, we need only X to calculate AG, because AG° = 0. Moreover, we can write... 

Figure 1.13 Potential energy diagrams describing electron transfer processes according to Marcus theory. (A) Self-exchange (B) Cross Reaction.

The qualitative elements of Marcus theory are readily demonstrated. For example, the process of transferring an electron between two metal ions, Fe2+ and Fe3 +, may be described schematically by Fig. 33 (Eberson, 1982 Albery and Kreevoy, 1978). The reaction may be separated into three discrete stages. In the first stage the solvation shell of both ions distorts so that the energy of the reacting species before electron transfer will be identical to that after electron transfer. For the self-exchange process this of course means that the solvation shell about Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the transition state must be the same if electron transfer is not to affect the energy of the system. In the second phase, at the transition state, the electron is transferred without... 

The self-exchange electron-transfer (SEET) process, in which a radical is trapped by the parent molecule, has been studied using the intersecting-state model (ISM).91 Absolute rate constants of SEET for a number organic molecules from ISM show a significant improvement over classical Marcus theory92-94 in the ability to predict experimental SEET values. A combination of Marcus theory and the Rips and Jortner approach was applied to the estimation of the amount of charge transferred in the intramolecular ET reactions of isodisubstituted aromatic compounds.95... 

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