A series of new compounds with a formula RE2M2/3Nb4/3O7 (RE = Nd, Sm, Eu; M = Cu, Co, Zn) have been synthesized by a wet chemical method and the lattice parameters of the compounds have also been determined. The new compounds possess a pyrochlore structure and belong to hexagonal system. Most of the compounds have a certain catalytic activity for the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and propylene. The conversion efficiency of carbon monoxide and propylene on the surface of some compounds can be close to 100% at near 450 degrees C. The compounds are insulator and the resistibility also is larger than 10(5) ohm . cm even if at 500 degrees C. The compounds are a new kind of oxidation catalysts. The catalytic oxidation process of carbon monoxide and propylene on the surface of the compounds involves the oxidation-reduction of the cations in the compound and the catalytic process is a co-catalytic one. The effects of various metal cations in the compounds on the catalytic activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and propylene have been discussed.