Selective air oxidation is used on a commercial scale to functionalize paraffinic waxes. Continuous-mode wax oxidation was investigated in an effort to address some of the shortcomings of commercial batch mode operation, as well as to explore ways to improve wax oxidation selectivity. Selectivity trends and probable reaction pathways could be established. It is also shown that continuous-mode wax oxidation is more efficient and differentiates itself from batch-mode wax oxidation by the ability to achieve high selectivity (>85%) to alcohols and ketones and to suppress acid formation completely.