Semiclassical theory electron-transfer reactions

Chemical and electrochemical reactions in condensed phases are generally quite complex processes only outer-sphere electron-transfer reactions are sufficiently simple that we have reached a fair understanding of them in terms of microscopic concepts. In this chapter we give a simple derivation of a semiclassical theory of outer-sphere electron-transfer reactions, which was first systematically developed by Marcus [1] and Hush [2] in a series of papers. A more advanced treatment will be presented in Chapter 19. 

Overall, the outer-sphere electron-transfer reactions of transition metal complexes reactions are consistent with the expectations of the semiclassical Marcus-Hush theory. h22,25,32,43,57,7i,75 78 agreement... 

The theoretical description of the kinetics of electron transfer reactions starts fi om the pioneering work of Marcus [1] in his work the convenient expression for the free energy of activation was defined. However, the pre-exponential factor in the expression for the reaction rate constant was left undetermined in the framework of that classical (activate-complex formalism) and macroscopic theory. The more sophisticated, semiclassical or quantum-mechanical, approaches [37-41] avoid this inadequacy. Typically, they are based on the Franck-Condon principle, i.e., assuming the separation of the electronic and nuclear motions. The Franck-Condon principle... 

At the microscopic level, polaron hopping can be viewed as a self-exchange electron-transfer reaction where a charge hops from an ionized oligomer or chain segment to an adjacent neutral unit. In the framework of semiclassical Marcus theory, the electron-transfer rate is written as... 

In semiclassical ET theory, three parameters govern the reaction rates the electronic couphng between the donor and acceptor (%) the free-energy change for the reaction (AG°) and a parameter (X.) related to the extent of inner-shell and solvent nuclear reorganization accompanying the ET reaction [29]. Additionally, when intrinsic ET barriers are small, the dynamics of nuclear motion can limit ET rates through the frequency factor v. These parameters describe the rate of electron transfer between a donor and acceptor held at a fixed distance and orientation (Eq. 1),... 

The nontraditional example of applying the AMSA theory is connected with the treatment of electrolyte effects in intramolecular electron transfer (ET) reactions [21, 22], Usually the process of the transfer of the electron from donor (D) to acceptor (A) in solutions is strongly nonadiabatic. The standard description of this process in connected with semiclassical Marcus theory [35], which reduces a complex dynamical problem of ET to a simple expression of electron... 

Kuznetsov, A.M. and Kharkats, Y.L (1975) Semiclassical theory of adiabatic and nonadiabatic electron-transfer bridging reactions. Soviet... 

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 semiclassical Ehrenfest theory coupled with this representation was applied in an electron flux analysis in chemical reactions where large charge transfer occurs caused by significant nonadiabatic transition. The chemical systems treated in the summaries below are Na - - Cl and formic acid dimer (FAD). The time shift flux operator stated in the previous subsection was utilized in an analysis of the microscopic electron d3mamics in this chemically representative case. 

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