Influence of Amino Acid Side Chains on Long‐Distance Electron Transfer in Peptides: Electron Hopping via “Stepping Stones”

It works both ways: The mechanism of electron transfer through peptides depends upon the side chain X located between the electron donor and the electron acceptor. Electron transfer occurs either by a slow single-step superexchange or by a two-step hopping process that is 20–30-times faster (see scheme). All intermediates in the hopping process could be observed simultaneously.