The utility and selectivity of the catalyst [Ru(COD)(L-1)Br-2] (1) bearing a fused pi-conjugated imidazo[1,2-a][1,8]naphthyridine-based abnormal N-heterocyclic carbene ligand L-1 is demonstrated toward selective oxidation of C-C bonds to aldehydes and C C bonds to alpha-diketones in an EtOAc/CH3CN/H2O solvent mixture at room temperature using a wide range of substrates, including highly functionalized sugar- and amino acid-derived compounds.