A process for the dehydrogenation of alkane hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process comprises contacting an alkane with a chromium-based dehydrogenation catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen at a temperature of from about 400.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C., a pressure of from about 0.1 to about 10 atmospheres, wherein the alkane to oxygen molar ratio is between about 1:0.0001 to 1:0.04.