A mild oxidizing reagent for alcohols and 1,2-diols: o-iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in DMSO

o-Iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) smoothly oxidizes primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively. 1,2-Diols are converted to α-ketols or α-diketones without any oxidative cleavage of the glycol CC bond. IBX oxidations are easily conducted in DMSO solution at room temperature, with yields ranging from good to quantitative.