A Cr3 catalyzed oxidation of homopropargyl alcohols with tert-butyl hydroperoxide under microwave irradiation was found to be an efficient and rapid alternative for the preparation of 1,2-allenic ketones. The advantages of this procedure include short reaction time, less adverse impact on the environment and reasonably high efficiency. (c) 2010 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chinese Chemical Society.