The reduction, at boron doped diamond electrodes, of 1,4-benzoquinone dissolved in acetonitrile is investigated. It is shown that the mechanism of reduction is dependent on electrode pre-treatment. Whilst the response at an oxygenated diamond electrode surface resembles that at platinum and carbon electrodes. the i-E curve at a hydrogenated diamond surface is indicative of protonation of intermediates. The cyclic voltammograms obtained suggest that the sub-surface hydrogen present in the hydrogenated diamond lattice is able to participate in electrochemical processes. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.