Electron-transfer catalysis

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003763",
  "term": "Electron-transfer catalysis",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A reaction sequence in which an electron, supplied by an electrode or a reductant, converts a substrate into its radical anion, which rearranges or fragments into a product radical anion that then passes the electron to a fresh substrate molecule, so one electron drives a chain. The best known case is the SRN1 substitution of aromatic halides. Strictly the electron acts as chain initiator, not a true catalyst, so electron-transfer induced chain reaction is the more exact name.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "catalysis",
    "catalyst",
    "chain reaction",
    "initiator",
    "proton",
    "sequence"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1110 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/electron-transfer-catalysis/"
}