Carbon-supported platinum catalysts were shown highly efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the selective oxidation of various types of primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and carboxylic acids, using a low pressure of air and a temperature of 100 degrees C. Especially, alcohols could be oxidized to afford the aldehyde in high yields in dioxane, whereas the carboxylic acid was selectively produced in dioxane/aqueous solution mixtures or dioxane/alkaline aqueous solution mixtures. The dispersion of the platinum catalyst was dependent on the carbon activation treatment and on the method of preparation and it influenced significantly the activity and the resulting selectivity. The platinum catalyst prepared by impregnation Of CO2-activated carbon showed the best results compared to platinum catalysts prepared on air-activated carbon or by cationic exchange. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.