A process for the selective production of partially oxidized organic compounds at the catalytic anode of a fuel cell wherein oxide anions formed at the fuel cell cathode by ionization of oxygen containing gas are transported by a molten salt oxygen containing electrolyte to the catalytic anode where selective partial oxidation of organic compounds is facilitated by the catalytic anode. Suitable catalytic anodes include catalysts selected from elements of the Periodic Table appearing in a group selected from the group consisting of Group IB, IIB, IIIA, VB, VIB, VIIB and VIII, in metallic oxide or cermet form. The process of this invention is particularly useful in the production of methanol by partial oxidation of methane.