The electrocatalytic oxidation of D-sorbitol on a polycrystalline platinum electrode, in perchloric aqueous medium, was studied by cyclic voltammetry under varying sweep rate, potential limits, stirring, temperature, pH and concentration of D-sorbitol. A value of about 50 kJ mol(-1) was obtained for the apparent activation enthalpy of the oxidation reaction at 0.1 V vs. sme. The experimental rate equation is i = kC(D-sorb)(0.4) C-H+(-0.3).exp[0.4 FE/RT], valid for [D-sorbitol] < 0.1 mol dm(-3) and pH < 1.