Abstract The subject invention relates to a method of synthesizing hydroxylamines from secondary amines. This method uses a dioxirane compound such as dimethyldioxirane (DMD, which is relatively stable and simple to synthesize), as the oxidizing agent. The reaction proceeds as follows: <IMAGE> This method provides a simple, one-step reaction with high yields. It can be performed in acetone solution, and the transferral of an oxygen atom from dimethyldioxirane to the secondary amine converts the dioxirane into acetone, the solvent, permitting simple workup and purification. This method can be used with a wide variety of secondary amines, including aliphatic, aromatic, cyclic, and heterocyclic secondary amines, to create a corresponding variety of hydroxylamines.