The oxidation process of polycrystalline platinum subjected to alkaline solution is re-examined using a combination of cyclic voltammetry and potential hold techniques in Ar, H-2 and O-2 purged 0.1 M KOH solution. The hydrogen oxidation reaction is used as a probe for forming a complete OH adlayer, whereas the comparison of cyclic voltammetry with potential hold techniques allows the investigation of the dynamics as well as a charge balance of the processes. Comparing the different findings in a parameterized form, we are able to discern the potential regions of OH and O adlayers as well as PtO formation at quasi steady state conditions: only low amount of OH exists up to 0.7 V-RHE. Increasing the potential the OH coverage increases and a OH monolayer is formed at 0.93 V-RHE, which gradually further oxidizes to O-ad increasing the potential up to 1.08 V. above which PtO oxide is formed. Comparing the oxidation process to the oxygen reduction reaction it is shown that there is a clear correlation between the formation of a full OH adlayer and the inhibition of the oxygen reduction. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.