The selective oxidation of dimethyl ether（DME）to methyl formate and other hydrocarbons over four zeolites，namely HZSM-5，Hβ，HY and Al-MCM-41，and metal（Mn，Mo，Co，Cu）modified HZSM-5 catalysts were investigated by using DME and O2 as reactant gases and helium as diluent with a mole ratio of 5∶1∶6 under a pressure of 0. 1 MPa. It was found that the modified HZSM-5 zeolite catalysts were active for the reaction in the temperature range of 275—325℃. The conversion of DME was increased to 27. 8 % at 275℃ with a methyl formate（MF）yield of 6. 9% over the Mn modified HZSM-5 zeolite. Possible reaction mechanism was discussed as well.