Oxidation of allylic alcohols to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds with aqueous hydrogen peroxide under organic solvent-free conditions.

Allylic alcohols are chemoselectively oxidized to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in high yield with aqueous H(2)O(2) in the presence of Pt black catalyst under organic solvent-free conditions. The catalyst is easily recyclable and effective for at least 7 cycles.