Recent advances and applications of soft-ionization mass spectrometry in electrochemical transformations

Electrochemical transformations play a vital role in various fields such as chemistry, energy conversion and storage, and environmental protection. These processes are complex and involve multiple reaction steps and various intermediates, making an understanding of their mechanisms vital for the optimization of the reaction conditions and achievement of enhanced efficiency. However, traditional analytical techniques, such as spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and analysis of linear polarization curves, face limitations in revealing the intricate mechanisms of these reactions. By contrast, soft ionization mass spectrometry (SI-MS) has shown tremendous potential in electrochemical transformation research because of its high sensitivity and low sample fragmentation. The present review explores the current applications and latest advances in SI-MS studies of electrochemical transformations, illustrating how this technology facilitates the capture, identification, and mechanistic elucidation of intermediates while discussing the problems faced by SI-MS methods and their potential solutions. Ultimately, this review seeks to provide researchers in the field of electrochemical transformations with comprehensive technical reference information and guidance regarding future research directions.