Metal-modified molecular sieves (MNaY, M = Ni, Co, Cu) have been synthesized by the impregnation method, these catalysts were used for the study of liquid phase oxidation of p-tert-butyltoluene (PTBT) to synthesize p-tert-butylbenzaldehyde (PTBD) for the first time. The catalysts have been characterized by X-ray, XPS, SEM, BET, and TGA. The results show that the Ni/NaY exhibits suitable and stable catalytic activity. Recycle runs show that Ni/NaY was stable for at least five cycles. Under the optimized conditions of having a reaction time of 7 h, 6 mL of PTBT, 0.2 g of Ni/NaY, 0.1 g of N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI), 18 mL of acetonitrile, a reaction temperature of 70 A degrees C, and a rotating speed 200 r/min, the conversion of PTBT reached 29.3-30.6% with a PTBD selectivity of 77.2%.