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Updated: Oct 18, 2025

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds
Published on: October 18, 2018
"How Should I Think about Voltage? What Is Overpotential?": Establishing an Organic Chemistry Intuition for
Jordan E Nutting1, James B Gerken1, Alexios G Stamoulis1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin─Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706-1322, United States.
Abstract:
Redox reactions are ubiquitous in organic synthesis and intrinsic to organic electrosynthesis. The language and concepts used to describe reactions in these domains are sufficiently different to create barriers that hinder broader adoption and understanding of electrochemical methods. To bridge these gaps, this Synopsis compares chemical and electrochemical redox reactions, including concepts of free energy, voltage, kinetic barriers, and overpotential. This discussion is intended to increase the accessibility of electrochemistry for organic chemists lacking formal training in this area.
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