The present invention is related to a hydrocarbon oxidation process. The process comprises bringing one or more hydrocarbons into contact with a source of oxygen in the presence of a radical initiator and a catalyst. The catalyst comprises an organic metal complex located on a catalyst support, and is obtained by partial decomposition of the organic metal complex. For example, the process can be used to produce dimethyl carbonate from dimethoxy methane. The invention is also related to a partially decomposed catalyst that comprises a silica support and an organic metal complex, wherein at least 5% of the organic compound remains in the catalyst. The organic metal complex comprises an organic compound and a metal-based compound wherein the metal is selected from copper, nickel, and combinations thereof. The invention is also related to a process for manufacturing of a catalyst comprising mixing L-arginine, a Cu-based compound, water, and optionally another metal-based compound to form a solution; impregnating the solution onto a silica support to form a catalyst precursor; and partially decomposing the L-arginine to form the catalyst so that at least 5% of L-arginine remains in the catalyst.