The oxidation of the bistrityl ether 5a under conditions identical with those for 2a afforded the desired keto alcohol 6, 4-hydroxymethylcyclohexanone, in 79% isolated yield. The analogous bistrityl ether in the cyclopentane series 8a also afforded 85% of the desired product 9, 3-(2-hydroxymethyl)-cyclopentanone, when subjected to the same conditions as for