The selective oxidative conversion of a variety of highly functionalized 1degrees,2degrees-1,5-diols into the corresponding delta-lactones has been effected simply and efficiently using a reagent system comprised of catalytic 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxy (TEMPO) and excess bis-acetoxyiodobenzene (BAIB). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.