Understanding the energetics and reactivity of intermediate species formed during electrochemical device operation is crucial for the development of battery configurations with high rate capability and mutual chemical stability of inner components, and thus, long cycle life. This is a particularly pressing urgency for several next-generation energy conversion systems, where soluble growth/reaction intermediates can react with putatively inert components, such as the electrode substrate or electrolyte. Motivated by the urgency of this challenge for practical, scalable energy storage and conversion, we seek to (a) map out and circumvent decomposition pathways and (b) elucidate the energetics of intermediate species in order to promote fast interfacial charge transfer kinetics in next-generation batteries.