A comparison of the multistep consecutive reduction mode with the multicomponent system reduction mode in cyclic voltammetry

Abstract

The multistep consecutive ECE–ECE reduction process $\text{A}\text{→}\text{e}\text{B}\text{→}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>f</mtext><mtext>1</mtext>}}\text{C}\text{→}\text{e}\text{D}\text{→}\text{e}\text{E}\text{→}\text{k}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>f</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{F}\text{→}\text{e}\text{G}$ has been compared with reduction in multicomponent system $\text{A}\text{→}\text{e}\text{B}\text{,}\text{C}\text{→}\text{e}\text{D}\text{,}\text{D}\text{→}\text{e}\text{E}\text{,}\text{F}\text{→}\text{e}\text{G}$. A simple method of transformation has been devised to disclose the subtle structure of the complex cyclic voltammetry (CV) responses and illustrated by the ECE–ECE process modeled earlier. The method can be applied to any multi-electron CV experimental curve for which a numerical modeling has been done. Electroreduction processes similar to those considered here are often met in practice. An attempt of unification of consecutive electroreduction and electroreduction of multicomponent system has been made. Interrelation between research and analytical voltammetry aspects of the problem is also discussed.