PURPOSE: To obtain the corrsponding keto-alcohol in one stage in high yield, by irradiating a glycol with light in presence of a platinum group metallic catalyst supported on a titanic acid compound and further oxygen or air, and oxidizing one of the hydroxyl groups selectively.

CONSTITUTION: A compound of formulaI(R is H or lower alkyl; n is an integer 0W4) is irradiated with light in the presence of a platinum group metal supported on a titanic acid compound and further oxygen or air to give a compound of formula II, e.g. 1-hydroxypropanone. Titanic acid, preferably of the anatase type, strontium titanate, etc. may be used as the titanic acid compound, and a very small amount of a rare earth element, e.g. scandium or yttrium, provides the improvement in the selectivity of the aimed substance. The amount of the metal based on the carrier is 0.1W5wt%, and the amount of the catalyst based on the raw material is 0,5W2.5wt%.