Oxidative cleavage of α-diols, α-diones, α-hydroxy-ketones and α-hydroxy- and α-keto acids with calcium hypochlorite [Ca(OCl)2].

α-Diols, α-diones, α-hydroxy ketones, and α-hydroxy- and α-keto acids are easily cleaved oxidatively with calcium hypochlorite. The reaction is carried out at ambient temperature in aqueous acetonitrile/acetic acid solution. The yields are good to excellent and the products, depending on the starting material, are aldehydes, ketones or acids.