The aerobic oxidation of alkyl arenes and alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds has been achieved using a catalyst and oxygen (0.1 atm) in an ionic liquid. Excellent yields were obtained under mild, easily obtainable conditions. Among the various metallophthalocyanine catalysts and ionic liquids examined, the best results were obtained with cobalt(II) phthalocyanine in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([bmim]Br). These materials can be recycled and reused for several times without any significant loss of catalytic activity. (c) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.