A variety of aromatic, aliphatic and conjugated aldehydes and alcohols were transformed to the corresponding carboxylic acids and ketones with a quantitative conversion in high yields with 70% t-BuOOH solution in water in the presence of catalytic amounts of ceric ammonium nitrate [Ce(NH4)2(NO3)6] (CAN) under room temperature conditions. The scope of our catalytic system is applicable for a wide range of aromatic, conjugated and aliphatic substrates. These aldehydes were converted to the corresponding carboxylic acids in good isolated yields in reason- able times. This method possesses a wide range of capabilities since it can be used with other functional groups which may not tolerate oxidative conditions, involves fairly simple method for work-up, exhibits chemoselectivity and proceeds under ambient conditions. The resulting products are obtained in good yields within reasonable time.
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