Intramolecular dissociative electron transfer

Dissociative electron transfers (ET) are reactions in which the ET is associated with the cleavage of a sigma bond. Although a rather satisfactory amount of information is currently available on the intermolecular and heterogeneous dissociative ET reactions, less is known for the corresponding intramolecular processes, despite the relevance of these reactions in both chemistry and biochemistry. This tutorial review focuses on the most recent developments in this area, with particular emphasis on the reactions occurring in well-defined Donor–Spacer–Acceptor molecular systems. The goal is to provide the reader with the essential background to understand and possibly predict the feasibility and rates of these reactions, as well as to stimulate the application of the intramolecular dissociative ET concepts and related issues to still unexplored molecular systems.