The oxidation of ethers, alcohols, esters, and light alkanes (ethane, propanes) byu K 2 Pt/l 4 and Pt/O 2 in aqueous medium has been studied. Results appear to indicate that unactivated C-H bonds were attacked and oxidized by Pt(II) whereas C-H bonds α to an oxygen were activated and catalytically oxidated by metallic Pt in the presence of O 2 . For example, Pt(II) was found to oxidize ethane selectively to the alcohols, ethanol, and ethylene glycol. In the presence of metallic Pt and O 2 , further oxidation of the alcohol functionality occurred to generate the corresponding carboxylic acids