The electrochemical oxidation of 2-naphthol mediated by active chlorine electrogenerated in situ on a Ti-Ru-Sn ternary oxide has been studied by galvanostatic electrolysis under different experimental conditions. Measurements of chemical oxygen demand (COD), HPLC and GC analyses have been used to follow the oxidation. In the absence of NaCl, only a small fraction of 2-naphthol was oxidized by direct electrolysis, while its complete mineralization was obtained in the case of chlorine-mediated electrolysis. In particular, the rate of naphthol oxidation was found to increase with chloride concentration, pH and to be independent of current density. Analysis of oxidation product has shown that initially organochlorinated compounds have been formed which have been further completely oxidized. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.