The invention relates to a method for producing hydrocarbons having a modified carbon skeleton by reacting aliphatic hydrocarbons a) with themselves, b) with another aliphatic hydrocarbon or c) with aromatic alkyl substituted hydrocarbons, in the presence of a metal organic catalyst or the hybrid thereof, at a temperature of between 20 400.degree. C. and a pressure of between 0.2 100 bars, wherein the reaction takes place in the presence of hydrogen.