The application of carbon coated monolithic catalysts in selective oxidation is compared with slurry phase operation. As a model reaction, the liquid phase air oxidation of cyclohexanone into adipic acid was chosen. The reaction was performed in water at moderate temperature (413 K) and pressure (5.0 MPa). Total conversion of cyclohexanone was achieved over metal-free carbon supports yielding several dicarboxylic acids. Increasing the pore access of these carbon supports is beneficial for the activity. The application of highly dispersed platinum yields similar activities, but enhances the selectivity to adipic acid from 9.2 to 20.6%.