What is the process called when protons are passed from one functional group to another?

The process of passing protons from one functional group to another is called proton hopping. This phenomenon is crucial in various biochemical reactions, particularly in enzymatic activity and in the mechanisms of electron transport chains. Proton hopping involves the transfer of protons through the medium in a manner that can facilitate localized changes in pH or proton concentration without dispersing over a large area. This method of proton transfer can enhance the efficiency of various biochemical processes, as it allows protons to migrate quickly and effectively between different sites without requiring long-range diffusion.

Proton binding refers to the retention of protons at a specific site, often leading to the stabilization of charged groups or the activation of certain enzymatic activities, but does not describe the dynamic transfer between functional groups. Proton pumping refers to the active transport of protons across membranes, usually against their concentration gradient, which is an important function in cellular respiration and photosynthesis but does not specifically address the transfer from one functional group to another. Proton diffusion describes the random movement of protons from areas of high concentration to low concentration and is not specific to the context of functional groups transferring protons.