The anodic oxidn. of 2-naphthol in acid media was studied at a synthetic boron-doped diamond thin film electrode (BDD) using cyclic voltammetry and bulk electrolysis. The results showed that in the potential region, where the supporting electrolyte is stable, reactions involving simple electron transfer, such as oxidn. of 2-naphthol to naphthoxy radical and 1,4-naphthoquinone occur. Polymeric materials, which lead to electrode fouling, are also formed in this potential region. Electrolysis at high pos. potentials in the region of electrolyte decompn. causes complex oxidn. reactions by electrogenerated hydroxyl radicals leading to the complete incineration of 2-naphthol. Electrode fouling is inhibited under these conditions. The exptl. results were also compared with a theor. model. This model is based on the assumption that the rate of the anodic oxidn. of 2-naphthol is a fast reaction and it is under diffusion control. [on SciFinder (R)]