Abstract
A derivation of the cross-relations first given by Marcus, which predict the rate of electron-transfer reactions from the rates of electron-exchange reactions and the standard free energy change, is given. The derivation is based solely on thermodynamic cycles and the principle of detailed balance; the usual microscopic or mechanistic assumptions are not necessary, but we do assume independent activation of the reaction partners. Thus cross-relations should hold even in many cases for which other predictions of any given electron-transfer theory may fail. Comments are made on the possible causes for breakdown of the cross-relations; in particular, a correction factor akin to the one introduced by Marcus becomes apposite when the overall exoergicity is large, and under these conditions independent activation is no longer a valid assumption.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4898-4900 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 102 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1980 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- General Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry