The kinetics and mechanism of liquid-liquid phase transfer catalyzed oxidation of benzyl chloride with chromate salts is investigated in great detail in a systematic way to throw light on the selectivity of the reaction to benzaldehyde. This system presents a complex case of consecutive and parallel reactions in which benzyl alcohol is formed as an intermediate which is further oxidized to benzaldehyde. The results are novel, and the experimental data fit the theoretical model very well.