The inertness and unique electrochem. properties of diamond present great potential for a variety of applications in aggressive environments. Preliminary results showed the widest known electrochem. window before water decompn., allowing new possibilities for both anodic and cathodic reactions. Studies of the oxidn. of org. compds. was performed with alcs. such as isopropanol, phenol and org. acids. Cyclic voltammetry demonstrates no activity in the potential range where water is stable. In the potential region of oxygen evolution, the org. compds. are mainly oxidized to CO2. No deactivation or redn. in the thickness of the electrode was obsd. No fouling of the diamond surface was detected. Also, no hydrodynamic effects were obsd. Concd. (1 M) and dild. (3 * 10-4 M) cyanide solns. were oxidized on diamond electrodes both in the presence and in the absence of chloride ions. The results show a direct oxidn. with a current efficiency of .apprx.40% for concd. solns. At low cyanide concns., the current efficiency is strongly increased by the presence of Cl-. Electrochem. redn. of cadmium and copper was carried out on diamond electrodes. Nonadherent deposits were obtained on diamond cathodes. [on SciFinder (R)]