ln this paper, the fuction of molybdenum dialkyl dithiophosphate (MoDTP) as an oxidation inhibitor of mineral oils was investigated and compared with 2,6-Di-tert-Butyl-4-Methylphenol (DBMP). Oxidation tests were conducted using an oxygen absorption apparatus. MoDTP showed anti-oxidation property, and length of induction time prolonged by increasing MoDTP concentration. However the induction time of DBMP was longer than those of MoDTP. The anti-oxidation property of MoDTP was found to be inferior to that of DBMP The capability of hydroperoxide decomposition ability with MoDTP was much greater than that with DBMP. However the rate constant of radical scavenging with MoDTP was much better than that with DBMP. It was found that the performance of MoDTP is exellent with respect to hydroperoxide decomposition but it is susceptible to chemical decomposition. From the fact that formation of phenol was observed when MoDTP was added to hexane solution of cumene hydroperoxide (CHPO), it is indicated that the decomposition of hydroperoxide with MoDTP occurs by means of ionic mechanism.