Rudolph A. Marcus obituary: theoretical chemist who explained how electrons jump between molecules0

• SCIENCE, Science / Health, Science Mission Directorate, scientists, Space, Space Communications & Navigation Program, Space Launch System (SLS), Space Telescope, space-x-ipo, SpaceX
• August 22, 2026

Credit: Science History Images/Alamy In just one month in the 1950s, Rudolph (Rudy) Marcus worked out the theory that for which he became famous. The Marcus theory of electron transfer predicts the rate at which an electron jumps from one molecule to another. This process is fundamental to molecular reactions, biological processes such as respiration