Rate constants intermolecular insertion reactions

In this case both e.t. processes are intramolecular, the distance between the porphyrin and the quinone being fixed by a short space. The highest rate constants of the photo-induced charge separation reach about 4 x 1011 s J and these would not be observable in a diffusion controlled intermolecular reaction. In these measurements, two solvents were used — nonpolar toluene and polar butyronitrile — and the AG values are therefore subject to the uncertainties discussed in Sect. 2.1. In particular, the Coulomb term for butyronitrile assumes the point charge model with full solvent screening, which may well underestimate the free energy values, especially in such an intramolecular system where it is clear that the solvent cannot be inserted between the chromophores. 

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