Oxidation of various aliphatic, aromatic, alicyclic, benzylic and allylic alcohols to corresponding carbonyl compounds is studied in water at room temperature over copper on boehmite [Cu/AlO(OH)] catalyst which is prepared from CuCl2 center dot 2H(2)O, pluronic P123 and Al(O-sec-Bu)(3). The prepared catalyst was characterized by HR-TEM, SEM-EDX and IR spectroscopy. The reaction conditions for catalytic oxidation of alcohols are optimized with different mole ratio, solvents, and oxidants using 1-phenylethanol system as a model. The scope of the reaction is extended to various types of alcohols. Chemoselectivity, heterogeneity and reusability tests were performed. The use of water as a solvent at room temperature makes the reaction interesting from both an economic and environmental point of view. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.