Abstract: A catalyst for oxidative demercaptanization of hydrocarbon compositions, comprising 0.2–5% of an oxide selected from the group consisting of an oxide of a transition metal of group Ib, an oxide of a transition metal of group Vb, an oxide of a transition metal of group VIb, an oxide of a transition metal of group VIIb, a nickel oxide, a cobalt oxide, and a mixture of at least two of said oxides; 0.5–20% of a transition metal salt; 0.5–20% of a nitrogen-containing organic compound; and an inert component, the rest up to 100%; wherein, the above described catalyst is used for demercaptanization or sweetening of hydrocarbon compositions.