A survey of the information on co-ordination compound features which can be gained from electroanalytical methods

The information provided by modern electroanalytical techniques on co-ordination compounds is surveyed. The problem of the interaction between the electrode and intermediates or products is also briefly considered; it is pointed out that the electroanalytical approach can be successfully employed to provide new insight into chemical properties of metal complexes only when weakly interacting species are involved. The information obtainable is considered under the following headings: (i) mechanistic studies on metal complexes and electroanalytical evidence for their reactivity and stability; (ii) structural features of co-ordination compounds in solution; (iii) feasibility of electrochemical syntheses; and (iv) stability of intermediate oxidation states with reference to the nature of the ligands co-ordinated to the metal.