This paper introduces to an active and provocative area of current research. It describes motivations for studying electron transfer (ET) chemistry in general and ET reactions in DNA in particular. A rate expression for a semiclassical electron transfer model is given along with a description of appropriate conditions for its use. Formulas describing the distance dependence of electronic coupling (HAB) and solvent reorganization energy are also provided as a basis for understanding and interpreting recent experiments. Three different long-range ET experiments are presented, and their results are compared with one another and with the results of similar experiments in proteins. Discrepancies and difficulties are noted, and suggestions for new experiments are made.
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Citation
Netzel, Thomas L. J. Chem. Educ.1997 74 646.
Keywords
Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Nucleic Acids, Electron Transport, Bioorganic/Bioinorganic
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