outer-sphere electron transfer 

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04351
An outer-sphere electron transfer is a reaction in which the electron transfer takes place with no or very weak (4 −16kJmol−1) electronic interaction between the reactants in the transition state. If instead the donor and the acceptor exhibit a strong electronic coupling, the reaction is described as inner-sphere electron transfer. The two terms derive from studies concerning metal complexes and it has been suggested that for organic reactions the terms 'nonbonded' and 'bonded' electron transfer should be used.
See also: inner-sphere electron transfer
Sources:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1148 [Terms] [Paper]
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223. (Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2257 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'outer-sphere electron transfer' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.O04351 RIS BibTex EndNote
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Last revised: February 24, 2014