A novel copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidative C(NOH)–C(alkyl) bond cleavage reaction of aryl/aralkyl/vinyl ketones for the synthesis of aromatic/acrylic acids is described. A series of ketones having aryl/aralkyl/vinyl at the one end and methyl to any higher alkyl at the other end can be selectively cleaved and converted into the corresponding acids via oxime intermediates.