1, 2-, 1, 3-, and 1, 4-Butanediols and phthatic alcohol were oxidized electrocatalytically using the polypyridine [(bpy)(trpy) RuO] 2+ complex (1) as oxidant under different conditions: concentration of 1, pH, and temperature. By controlling the number of coulombs passed through the electrolytic cell, it was possible to obtain selective reactions. 1-Hydroxy-2- butanone, 1-hydroxy-3-butanone, γ-butyrolactone, phthalide, phtalic aldehyde, and ...