A new procedure for the oxidation (dehydrogenation) of primary and secondary alcohols employing Zr (Ot-Bu) 4 or Zr (On-Pr) 4/tert-butyl hydroperoxide/3 Å molecular sieves is presented. Secondary alcohols if not severely sterically hindered are usually converted quantitatively to the corresponding ketones. Esters or acids can be byproducts in the reaction of primary alcohols. However, the aldehydes are obtained in good yield by ...