A new method to accomplish glycol cleavage to carboxylic (di)acids in one step using catalytic amounts of tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP) together with N-methylmorpholine N-Oxide (NMO) as the stoichiometric oxidant is presented. In addition to regenerating the active catalyst, the N-oxide stabilizes intermediary carbonyl hydrates and thereby shifts a crucial equilibrium. The mild oxidation protocol is applicable to a broad range of substrates providing the respective acids, diacids, or keto acids in high yields.