A Thermodynamic Derivation of the Cross-Relations for Rates of Electron-Transfer Reactions

M. A. Ratner*, R. D. Levine

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4898-4900
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume102
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1980

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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