The electrochem. oxidn. (or combustion) of orgs. with simultaneous oxygen evolution has been investigated using different oxide electrodes. A simplified mechanism for the electrochem. oxidn. of orgs. is presented, according to which selective oxidn. occurs with oxide anodes (MOx) for which the formation of higher oxides (e.g.: MOx+1) is possible. Combustion occurs at electrodes with oxidatively satd. surface. 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)]