The method of obtaining a carbonyl compound by oxidizing a primary or secondary alcohol compound is carried out with higher yield than using sodium hypochlorite as the oxidizing agent. The primary or secondary alcohol compound is oxidized in the presence of hypochlorous acid tetraalkylammonium, preferably with the coexistence of nitroxyl radical catalyst and halogenated metal-based co-catalyst, to produce carbonyl compounds consisting of aldehyde compounds, carboxylic acid compounds, and ketone compounds.