Abstract: A process for the production of carboxylic acids by oxidation of a hydrocarbon by oxygen or a gas containing oxygen and notably to the oxidation of cyclohexane to give adipic acid; the subject process entails a stage of oxidation of the hydrocarbon and at least one stage for extracting the dicarboxylic acids formed from the reaction medium and optionally recycling the unconverted hydrocarbon with oxidation by-products, such as alcohols and ketones, and which also includes a stage of conversion, removal or extraction of the ?,?-hydroxycarboxylic compounds formed during the oxidation stage and converting these compounds into diacids.