Spin-resolved charge displacement analysis as an intuitive tool for the evaluation of cPCET and HAT scenarios

We introduce here the spin-resolved version of the charge displacement function, which is applied to two competing pathways of proton-coupled electron transfer in oxidation catalysis (hydrogen-atom transfer, concerted proton-coupled electron transfer). The difference in charge displacement between the two mechanisms is directly observable and can be translated to electron flow using this new analysis tool. The spin-resolved version of the charge displacement function is introduced as an intuitive tool for differentiating between hydrogen-atom transfer and concerted proton-coupled electron transfer.