Triarylbismuth dichloride (1) is a pentavalent organobismuth compound developed by Matano et al., which can oxidize alcohols to aldehydes and ketones under mild conditions. The oxidation reaction using 1 proceeds, in the presence of a base, with high yields and high chemoselectivity. 1 is recognized as a very effective oxidizing agent with great ease of use since bismuth is regarded as an element of low toxicity and because 1 is stable at room temperature.