Degradation of Quinone‐based Flow Battery Electrolytes: Effect of Functional Groups on the Reaction Mechanism**

Abstract Organic redox flow batteries are a promising technology for grid‐scale energy storage from renewable resources. However, the chemical instability of organic electrolytes prohibits wide‐scale commercial implementation as materials. Therefore, understanding their degradation is essential to develop new and resilient electrolyte In this article, we comparatively studied pathways 4,5‐dihydroxybenzene‐1,3‐disulfonic acid (BQDS) 3,6‐dihydroxy‐2,4‐dimethylbenzenesulfonic (DHDMBS) employing potential surface exploration. Both acid‐catalyzed base‐catalyzed have been considered. Density functional theory was used compare energetics reaction paths. The role groups investigated get insight into why BQDS prone DHDMBS much more stable. Furthermore, effect on correlation free reduction quinones.