In a process for oxidizing a hydrocarbon to a product comprising at least one of the corresponding hydroperoxide, alcohol, ketone, carboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid, the hydrocarbon is contacted with an oxygen-containing compound in at least one oxidation zone in the presence of a catalyst comprising a cyclic imide having an imide group of formula (I): wherein X represents an oxygen atom, a hydroxyl group, or an acyloxy group and wherein the oxygen-containing compound supplied to said at least one oxidation zone has a water content of less than or equal to 0.6% by weight of the oxygen-containing compound.