The electrooxidation of 1,3-propanediol has been studied in acid and alkaline media on platinum and gold electrodes. It is shown by voltammetric techniques that the oxidation of 1,3-propanediol is partially diffusion controlled. Electrolysis results and in situ FTIR reflectance spectroscopy allowed us to identify the adsorbed species and the reaction products. A possible reaction mechanism is discussed.