The electrocatalytic oxidation of allyl alcohol on Pd, Au, Pt, and Pd-modified Au electrodes in alkaline solution has been investigated. The Pd-modified Au electrodes with different amounts of the deposited palladium were prepared by reducing palladium chloride using linear sweep voltammetric method. The results of cyclic voltammetric measurements show an advantage of the Pd electrodes in peak potential and an advantage of the Au electrodes in peak current in allyl alcohol oxidation. However, no catalytic activity of the Pt electrodes is observed. Palladium modification results in a significant improvement in the catalytic activity of the Au electrodes. In allyl alcohol oxidation on the Pd-modified Au electrodes, peak potentials are similar to that obtained on the Pd electrodes and peak currents are depending on the amount of the deposited palladium. The results of chronoamperometric measurements show an improved resistance of the Pd-modified Au electrodes to poisoning. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.