Theory and computation of electron transfer reorganization energies with continuum and molecular solvent models

Contemporary continuum-based models of solvation in polar media are surveyed and assessed, with special focus on non-equilibrium solvation. A new hybrid approach combining molecular-level treatment of inertial solvent response, and inclusion of inertialess solvent response at the continuum level, is presented and illustrated in terms of calculated equilibrium solvation free energies for small molecular ions and reorganization free energies for model dumbbell systems.