Electrochemical synthesis overvoltage

The electrodes are the typical and most important components of an electrochemical cell - especially the working electrode - which usually decide about the success of an electroorganic synthesis. Electrode materials need a sufficient electronic conductivity and corrosion stability as well as, ideally, a selective electrocat-alytic activity which favors the desired reaction. The overvoltages for undesired reactions should be high, for example, for the decomposition of the solvent water by anodic oxygen or cathodic hydrogen evolution. But, additionally, the behavior of electrodes can show unexpected and incomprehensible effects, which will cause difficulties to attain reproducible results. 

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