The electrochemical reduction of triphenylethylene in DMSO: a mechanistic study using mercury hemispherical microelectrodes

► Reduction mechanism of triphenylethylene in DMSO at mercury electrodes is studied. ► Simulation of cyclic voltammograms is carried out using the Butler-Volmer model. ► Good fit of experimental voltammograms obtained across all experimental conditions. ► Mechanism with two separate reductions, disproportionation, and dianion loss confirmed.