Catalytic oxidation of glycerol with molecular oxygen in presence of different heterogeneous catalysts in basic water solutions has been investigated. It has been determined that 3% Pd/Al2O3 is an active catalyst of glycerol oxidation process. A number of experiment series were carried out for oxidation optimization; temperature was varied between 323K and 343 K, glycerol concentration was in the borders of 0,3 – 0,5 M, n(glycerol)/n(Pd) was being changed from 300 to 600, sodium hydroxide concentration was being changed from 0,7 to 1,5 M. Catalytic oxidation of glycerol has been performed under atmospheric pressure, = 1atm. It has been determined that increase of temperature, glycerol concentration, and catalyst (3% Pd/Al2O3) concentration speed up the process of glycerol oxidation. Sodium hydroxide concentration weakly influences rate of oxidation, but noticeably changes mechanism and selectivity of the reaction. Optimal parameters of glyceric acid and tartronic acid selective production have been determined.