ABSTRACT
Electrochemistry is the combination of a heterogeneous electron transfer at an electrode with a chemical reaction. The electron transfer leads to the reactive intermediates: carbocations [l], carbanions [2], radicals [3], and radical ions [4]. The differences in comparison to chemical reactions are due to the way in which these reactive intermediates are generated. In electrochemistry, the electrode transfers the electron; in chemical reactions, chemical reductants or oxidants are used. Furthermore, carbocations, radicals, and carbanions are chemically generated by dissociation, homolysis, or deprotonation. The reaction conditions, the solvents, and the reactants encountered by the electrochemically or chemically formed intermediates can differ substantially and thus can lead to diverse reaction pathways and products.
