Quantum Measurement Theory Explains the Deuteration Effect in Radical-Ion-Pair Reactions

TL;DR

This paper uses a quantum-mechanical master equation to explain the anomalous effects of deuteration on radical-ion-pair reactions, resolving long-standing experimental inconsistencies.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum-mechanical framework that accurately describes radical-ion-pair reactions and explains previously unexplained deuteration effects.

Findings

Quantum master equation explains deuteration effects

Resolves discrepancies in experimental data

Provides a new understanding of radical-ion-pair reactions

Abstract

It has been recently shown that radical-ion pairs and their reactions are a paradigm biological system manifesting non-trivial quantum effects, so far invisible due to the phenomenological description of radical-ion-pair reactions used until now. We here use the quantum-mechanically consistent master equation describing magnetic-sensitive radical-ion-pair reactions to explain experimental data [C. R. Timmel and K. B. Henbest, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A {\bf 362}, 2573 (2004); C. T. Rodgers, S. A. Norman, K. B. Henbest, C. R. Timmel and P. J. Hore, J. Am. Chem. Soc. {\bf 129} 6746 (2007)] on the effect of deuteration on the reaction yields. Anomalous behavior of radical-ion-pair reactions after deuteration, i.e. data inconsistent with the predictions of the phenomenological theory used so far, has been observed since the 70's and has remained unexplained until now.