The electro-oxidation of 2-propen-1-ol, 2-propyn-1-ol, 2-butene-1,4-diol and 2-butyne-1,4-diol at a polycrystalline gold electrode in alkaline aqueous solutions has been studied with cyclic voltammetry. Additional information about the absorption of the alcohols preceding their oxidation was obtained with tensammetry. Results are discussed with respect to the different structures of the molecules and possible contributions of the multiple bonds therein. The influence of different adsorptivities of the investigated alcohols and the dominating contribution of resonant stabilisation of the radical intermediates being more effective with compounds containing a double bond as compared to a triple or a single bond are discussed.