Oxidation of allylacetone to 2,5-hexanedione

In a process wherein allylacetone is oxidized to 2,5-hexanedione in a mixed solvent system containing per part of water, by volume, from one to two parts benzene by contacting said allylacetone with palladium chloride catalyst in the presence of copper chloride and oxygen, the improvement which comprises conducting the reaction without adding hydrochloric acid and employing from 25 to 55 moles of copper chloride per mole of palladium chloride, the amount of copper chloride being sufficient to provide a molar ratio of said copper chloride to allylacetone of 1.3 - 2.4, whereby greater than 80% allylacetone conversion is effected with at least 70% selectivity to 2,5-hexanedione and with minimal losses of the palladium catalyst.