Efficient oxidation of various types of structurally diverse alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds can be carried out with N,N’-dibromo-N,N’-1,2-ethanediylbis(benzenesulphonamide) in good to high yield of products in CH2Cl2 at room temperature. Primary (aliphatic, benzylic and allylic) alcohols are oxidized with no over-oxidation to carboxylic acids.