Marcus-Levich-Dogonadze theory

Russell and Jaenicke [115] investigated the electroreduction of p-benzoquinone to the radical, in several solvents. They tried to explain their kinetic results, after correction for the double-layer influence, by the Marcus theory. Only in some of the applied solvents was an agreement with that theory observed. Earlier, Sharp [179] had studied several quinonoidic compounds at Pt and Au electrodes. Measurements were carried out in AN, DMF, DMSO and PC. Discrepancies between experimental data and the Marcus and Levich-Dogonadze theory were discussed qualitatively in terms of reactant and solvent structures. 

Aj may be evaluated from x-ray and infrared (IR) data or from theoretical calculations. However, for organic outer sphere electron transfers, this contribution is usually much smaller than Ao. In our opinion one of the greatest merits of the Marcus [43] and Levich-Dogonadze [44] theories is that they allow rather correct predictions of Aq through simple equations. Thus for most outer sphere electron transfers, reasonably accurate values of the rate constants can be predicted. 

The adiabatic redox reactions at electrodes were first considered by MARCUS /40a,145/ in a classical (semiclassical) framework. lEVICH, DOGONADZE and KUSNETSOV /146,147/, SGHMICKLER and VIELSTICH /169/ a.o. have developed a quantum theory for non-adiabatic electron transfer electrode reactions based on the oscillator-model. The complete quantum-mechanical treatment of the same model by CHRISTOV /37d,e/ comprises adiabatic and non-adiabatic redox reactions at electrodes. 

The formal development of the topic will rest on a model Hamiltonian proposed by one of us in the 1980s. From this we will first derive the Levich and Dogonadze theory (5), which was the first quantum theory for electron transfer in condensed media, and then obtain the classical potential-energy surfaces that are generalizations of those famihar with Marcus and Hush. 

Marcus[195] gave a quantitative interpretation of this idea and above all, the role of solvent rearrangement within the framework of the absolute rate theory. Later, he also extended these concepts to electrochemical processes[196]. Similar concepts were also developed by Hush[197,198]. An important result of this work was the establishment of the relation between the transfer coefficient for adiabatic reactions and the charge distribution in the transient state. Gerischer[93,199] proposed a very useful and lucid treatment of the process of electron transfer in reactions with metallic as well as semiconductor electrodes. While the works mentioned above were mainly based on transition state theory, a systematic quantum-mechanical analysis of the problem was started by Levich, Dogonadze, and Chizmadzhev[200-202] and continued in a series of investigations by the same group. They extensively used the results and methods of solid state physics, and above all the Landau-Pekar polaron theory[203]. 

Figure 2.1 (Plate 2.1) shows a classification of the processes that we consider they aU involve interaction of the reactants both with the solvent and with the metal electrode. In simple outer sphere electron transfer, the reactant is separated from the electrode by at least one layer of solvent hence, the interaction with the metal is comparatively weak. This is the realm of the classical theories of Marcus [1956], Hush [1958], Levich [1970], and German and Dogonadze [1974]. Outer sphere transfer can also involve the breaking of a bond (Fig. 2. lb), although the reactant is not in direct contact with the metal. In inner sphere processes (Fig. 2. Ic, d) the reactant is in contact with the electrode depending on the electronic structure of the system, the electronic interaction can be weak or strong. Naturally, catalysis involves a strong...

Attempts were made to quantitatively treat the elementary process in electrode reactions since the 1920s by J. A. V. Butler (the transfer of a metal ion from the solution into a metal lattice) and by J. Horiuti and M. Polanyi (the reduction of the oxonium ion with formation of a hydrogen atom adsorbed on the electrode). In its initial form, the theory of the elementary process of electron transfer was presented by R. Gurney, J. B. E. Randles, and H. Gerischer. Fundamental work on electron transfer in polar media, namely, in a homogeneous redox reaction as well as in the elementary step in the electrode reaction was made by R. A. Marcus (Nobel Prize for Chemistry, 1992), R. R. Dogonadze, and V. G. Levich. 

Table 6.6 lists some reactions of the electron in water, ammonia, and alcohols. These are not exhaustive, but have been chosen for the sake of analyzing reaction mechanisms. Only three alcohols—methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol—are included where intercomparison can be effected. On the theoretical side, Marcus (1965a, b) applied his electron transfer concept (Marcus, 1964) to reactions of es. The Russian school simultaneously pursued the topic vigorously (Levich, 1966 Dogonadze et al, 1969 Dogonadze, 1971 Vorotyntsev et al, 1970 see also Schmidt, 1973). Kestner and Logan (1972) pointed out the similarity between the Marcus theory and the theories of the Russian school. The experimental features of eh reactions have been detailed by Hart and Anbar (1970), and a review of various es reactions has been presented by Matheson (1975). Bolton and Freeman (1976) have discussed solvent effects on es reaction rates in water and in alcohols. 

During the last 30 years, a number of theories on electron transfer processes have been published by Gerischer [1, 5], Marcus [2], Levich [4] and Dogonadze [3,82]. Especially the models and theories developed by Marcus and Gerischer are applied for electrochemical reactions at metal and semiconductor electrodes by many other scientists. On the basis of these theories, the electron flux or interfacial currents can be derived as follows ... 

For outer sphere electron transfer reactions the Butler-Volmer law rests on solid experimental and theoretical evidence. An outer sphere electron transfer reaction is the simplest possible case of an electron transfer reaction, a reaction where only an electron is exchanged, no bonds are broken, the reactants are not specifically adsorbed, and catalysts play no role (see, e.g.. Ref. 2). Experimental investigations such as those by Curtiss et al. [206] have shown that the transfer coefficient of simple electron transfer reactions is independent of temperature. The theoretical basis is given by the theories of Marcus [207] and of Levich and Dogonadze [208] these theories also predict deviations at high overpotentials which were experimentally confirmed [209, 210]. 

How does the electron transfer occur in a redox process One description of this process was developed by Gerischer, based on the former work of Gurney and Essin. Another description goes back to the work of Marcus.Other contributions during the development of the basic theory came from Dogonadze, Levich, Chizmadzhev, Kuznetsov, and others. The model will be described for a simple redox reaction, the oxidation of a two-valent iron ion into a three-valent iron ion and vice versa. 

The development of modem electron transfer theory began with independent work by R.A. Marcus, N.S. Hush, V.G. Levich, and R.R. Dogonadze between 1956 and 1959. Marcus received the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1992 for his seminal contributions in this area. 

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