Long-distance intervalence electron transfer

Abstract

Long-distance intervalence electron transfer can be monitored by the quantitative study of intervalence transitions in series of binuclear mixed-valence metal complexes, with metal–metal distances reaching 25 A. This allows the determination of the electronic coupling Vab, and its rate of decay with distance. Comparisons are made between several series of compounds, and also with organic mixed-valence systems. The decay is exponential with a coefficient varying in a relatively narrow range (0.08 to 0.12 A−1). Applications for molecular switching are discussed.