The invention provides a process for the catalytic oxidation of an alkane, which comprises contacting the alkane with a source of oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound of the formula (2) where R¹ and R² independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a cycloalkyl group, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyl group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, or an acyl group, or R¹ and R² may together form a double bond or an aromatic or non-aromatic ring; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X represents an oxygen atom or a hydroxyl group; m denotes an integer of 0 to 4; and n denotes an integer of 1 to 3. Compounds in accordance with formula (2) possess good catalytic properties, such that when they are employed in a process in accordance with the present invention, they are capable of activating a source of oxygen and promoting the oxidation of an alkane at mild reaction temperatures. ##STR1##