Oxidation of alcohols (including C-2-C-6 alkyl alcohols, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, 1-octanol and allyl alcohol) to corresponding aldehydes or ketones has been performed over silver catalyst; the silver catalyst is highly active and selective to the reaction. The mechanism of oxidations of alcohols is inclined to oxidative dehydrogenation at low temperature region (< 550 K). The facets of silver are ideal versatile facets to activate molecular oxygen and generate oxidative, strong basic oxygen species (Odelta-), and weak acidic sites (Agdelta+) which can stabilize the organic intermediates, quickly. The facets of silver containing oxygen integrate several active catalytic sites existing in liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of alcohols and make catalytic reaction more effective. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.