An overview is presented on the performance of Pd-complexes with phenanthroline-type ligands that are highly active catalysts for alcohol oxidation in water as well as in water/polar co-solvent mixtures. The mechanistic details of this intriguingly active and stable Pd-species are summarized. The (neocuproine)Pd(OAc)(2) catalyst is unique in that it tolerates water, polar co-solvents and a wide variety of functional groups in the alcohol. Turnover frequencies of > 1500 h(-1) were achieved in the latter case and a series of alcohols was oxidized with 0.1-0.5 mol% of catalyst. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.