Can a larger potential difference between two couples in an outer electron transfer reaction mean a faster electron transfer also? If Yes please help with a citation?
In cases of outer-sphere electron transfer in complexes, when there is little change in geometry of the complexes as the reaction proceeds, it is found that the rate of electron transfer is proportional to the exponential of the difference in the standard potentials of the two individual couples.
No. The electron transfer rate increases with activation energy. But activation energy dependes on the free energy and on the reorganization factor. So, it increases to a point where the two factors cancel and decreases thereafter (see Rudolph Marcus Theory)
The rate of electron transfer depends on electrode potential of the couple metals involved in the redox reaction.One is expecting that this rate will be higher for positive E compared to negative E of the couple. However,the E of a reaction is a thermodynamic factor and the main factors affecting the redox reaction rate in complexes are electron configuration, types of ligands, types of orbitals involved in electron transfer and etc.(See Inorganic Chemistry, Purcell&Kotz).
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