The electrochemical oxidation of ethylene glycol in alkaline solution was investigated using Pt-Ru/C, Pt-Pb/C and ultrafine gold deposited on alpha-Fe2O3/Pt/C (Au/alpha-Fe2O3/Pt/Cd electrodes. The ultrafine gold particles prepared in the present study were similar to 3 nm in diameter. These catalysts enhanced the activity in ethylene glycol oxidation in lower potential regions. In particular, the Au/alpha-Fe2O3/Pt/C electrode showed the highest catalytic activity in ethylene glycol oxidation in a less noble potential region (< 200 mV vs. RHE). (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society.