Recent topic
Mechanism, kinetics and energetics
of the free electron transfer (FET):
In the electron transfer from substituted
aromatic donors to radical cations of alkanes or alkyl chlorides, two products
are formed such as donor radical cations and radical dissociation products, in
comparable amounts. This unusual effect is explained by an unhindered (free)
electron transfer taking place in the first encounter of the reactants where
the bending motions of the donor substituents are recognized in the momentum
state of twist. Hence metastabele donor radical cations and dissociative ones
are formed resulting in the observed products. This FET phenomenon is the first
observation of the reflection of femtosecond dynamics in a bimolecular process.
It is conditioned by the non-polarity of the solvent (no solvatation), high
free energy of the reaction and the instantaneous electron transfer where the
donor is in dynamic motion.