Review of advances in coupling electrochemistry and liquid state NMR

•Recent advances made in the field of EC–NMR on the oxidative reaction of xenobiotic species.•Description of advantages and potential drawbacks of in situ and on-line association of EC–NMR.•Direct chemical structural elucidation of generated compounds can easily be obtained.

The coupling of electrochemistry and NMR spectroscopy (EC–NMR) may present an interesting approach in the environmental oxidative degradation or metabolism studies. This review presents experimental advances in the field of EC–NMR and highlights the main advantages and drawbacks of in situ and on line of NMR spectroelectrochemistry. The analysis of NMR spectra recorded in situ or on line EC–NMR permits to elucidate the reaction pathway of the electrochemical oxidation reactions and could constitute a fast way for monitoring unstable species as for instance quinone and quinone imine structures without using any coupling agents. The use of 1D and 2D NMR coupled with electrochemistry may leads to the elucidation of the major species produced from the electrochemical oxidation process. The present review gives an overview about the development of the electrochemical cells which can operate on line or in situ with NMR measurements. Future developments and potential applications of EC–NMR are also discussed.

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