Electrochem. oxidn. (or combustion) of orgs. with simultaneous O evolution was investigated using different electrode material (Pt, Ti/IrO2, Ti/SnO2). A simplified mechanism for org. electrochem. oxidn./combustion is presented according to which selective oxidn. occurs with oxide anodes (MOx) forming the so-called higher oxide MOx+1 and combustion occurs with electrodes at whose surface OH radicals accumulate. Detection of OH radicals formed by water discharge at different anodes using N, N-dimethyl-p-nitrosoaniline (RNO) as a spin trap and preparative electrolysis confirmed the proposed mechanism. [on SciFinder (R)]