Abstract The oxidation process of 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl) benzene catalysed by N- hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) or NHPI in combination with Cu (II), Co (II), Mn (II) and Fe (II) salts was studied. The effects of the amount of catalyst and the temperature were determined. 1-Methyl-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) ethyl hydroperoxide was obtained in a yield of 73 mol% when 1-methoxy-4-(1-methylethyl) benzene was oxidised for 3 h at 60° C in ...