# Resolving the Marcus-Rehm-Weller Paradox in Electron Transfer

Source: [Resolving the Marcus-Rehm-Weller Paradox in Electron Transfer](<https://www.sota2.com/research/paper/690ad9df5fbd540384004516>)

Collection index: [llms.txt](<https://www.sota2.com/research/llms.txt>)

Data updated: 2026-04-22T05:22:24.043Z

Authors: Ethan Abraham

Published: 2025-10-31T16:52:49.000Z

## Abstract

Marcus theory famously predicts that electron-transfer rates decrease once the thermodynamic driving force exceeds the reorganization energy. Yet many systems instead exhibit Rehm-Weller kinetics, in which the rate saturates rather than decreases. Here we show that these apparently contradictory phenomenologies emerge as opposite physical limits of the same two-level quantum Hamiltonian. In the normal region, the model recovers both Marcus and Rehm-Weller behavior. In the inverted region, however, it predicts Marcus's decreasing rate in the nonadiabatic limit but Rehm-Weller saturation in the adiabatic limit. Using physically realistic reorganization energies and electronic coupling values, we show that Rehm-Weller's data can be quantitatively reproduced within a microscopic quantum model without invoking diffusion limitations or phenomenological corrections.

## Recorded benchmark results

A research result applies to its stated dataset, split, metric and evaluation configuration. Compare like-for-like settings, preserve the metric's unit and direction, and distinguish paper-reported results from independent reproduction. The best result recorded here is not a claim of exhaustive, current global coverage.

## Original sources and implementation

[Original paper](<https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.01909>)

[PDF](<https://arxiv.org/pdf/2511.01909.pdf>)