Toluene oxidation over platinum supported on zirconia under solvent free conditions in a batch reactor was studied in the temperature range 60-90 degrees C. Molecular oxygen was used as oxidant. The catalyst was highly active and selective for benzoic acid formation. Some conversion to benzyl benzoate, trans-stilbene and methyl biphenyl carboxylic acid was also observed when the reaction was studied for > 3 h. The reaction is taking place at considerably lower temperature than the reported solvent free oxidation reactions of toluene.