Kinetics of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by hypo chlorite ion has been studied in acetic acid-water medium. The reaction showed first order dependence on both [sub strate] and [oxidant]. The reaction failed to induc e the polymerisation of added acrylonitile which rules ou t the involvement of any radical intermediate durin g the reaction. The rate of reaction is found to decrease with increase in dielectric constant of the medium . Benzalehyde was obtained as the product with high yield and no traces of benzoic acid were detected. Thermodynamic parameters were determined and a suitable mechanism is proposed in concordance with the obtained resul ts.