Theoretical perspectives on proton-coupled electron transfer reactions

This Account presents a theoretical formulation for proton-coupled electron transfer reactions. The active electrons and transferring protons are treated quantum mechanically, and the free energy surfaces are obtained as functions of collective solvent coordinates corresponding to the proton and electron transfer reactions. Rate expressions have been derived in the relevant limits, and methodology for including the dynamical effects of the solvent and protein has been developed. This theoretical framework allows predictions of rates, mechanisms, and kinetic isotope effects for proton-coupled electron transfer reactions.