Problems and prospects of the concerted dissociative electron transfer mechanism

Abstract

The concepts of consecutive and concerted dissociative electron transfer have been examined, with particular emphasis on the reduction of organic halides. The possible presence and role of intermediate radical anions are discussed, as well as the application of the Marcus theory of outer-sphere electron transfer to halide reduction. Results of advanced quantum chemical calculations are briefly presented. The problems of the concerted mechanism with respect to the principle of microscopic reversibility are outlined, and the future importance of femto-second spectroscopy to the firm establishment of the concerted mechanism is stressed.