Revealing the catalytic pathway of a quinone-mediated oxygen reduction reaction in aprotic Li–O2 batteries

Soluble redox species that facilitate the oxygen reduction reaction by mediating the LiO2 intermediate and consequently the formation of the Li2O2 have attracted considerable interest for Li-O2 batteries. Based on extensive radical studies, this work discloses a distinct solution reaction route when a quinone derivative was employed as a redox mediator.