Oxidation leading to reduction: Redox-Induced Electron Transfer (RIET)

Complex electron transfer reactions have been characterized whereby in addition to electron transfer, subsequent electrochemical, chemical and even in some cases biological consequences occur. These include a secondary electron transfer that leads to a major rearrangement of the electronic structure, such that an initial oxidation leads to a reduction (or an initial reduction leads to an oxidation) for these valence ambiguous compounds. Mixed valency and valence-tautomeric behaviors can additionally result from these complex electron-transfer-induced reactions.