A process for the preparation of a ketone which comprises reacting the corresponding secondary alkanol with a solubilized stable free radical nitroxide having the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is an alkyl, aryl or heteroatom substituted alkyl group having 1 to about 15 carbon atoms and each of R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is alkyl, hydrogen, aryl or a substituted heteroatom, nitric acid, and a bromide ion-containing compound in the presence of an oxidant at a temperature in the range of from about -10.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. and thereafter separating out the ketone.