REMARKS ON DISSOCIATIVE ANION POTENTIAL-ENERGY CURVES FOR ORGANIC ELECTRON TRANSFERS

Data on electron-molecule collisions in the gas phase have been used t o obtain information on the potential energy curve for the dissociatio n of a transient anion RX.-, where R is frequently an organic group an d X often a halide. The data include thermal dissociative attachment e nergies and vertical attachment energies of RX. The data also consist of collision cross-sections (elastic, inelastic and dissociative) whic h vary with the energy of the incident electron and with the vibration al slate or temperature of the molecule. Relevant expressions are disc ussed. An approximate temperature-dependent expression is given for th e thermal dissociative attachment cross-section. The potential energy curve of the transient anion appears in the theory of electron transfe r reactions of RX that are accompanied by the bond rupture of R-X.