Ni catalysts and methods for alkane dehydrogenation

A composition of matter comprising a compound resulting from the steps of

• forming a pre-calcination composition comprising a compound represented by Formula IIA:
• NixTijTakNblLa*SbrSnsBitCauKvMgw (IIA),
• where
• La* is one or more lanthanide series elements selected from the group consisting of Lam, Cen, Pro, Ndp, and Smq,
• x is a number ranging from about 0.5 to about 0.96,
• j, k and 1 are each numbers ranging from 0 to about 0.8 and the sum of (j+k+1) is at least about 0.04,
• m, n, o, p, q, r, s and t are each numbers ranging from 0 to about 0.1, and the sum of (m+n+o+p+q+r+s+t) is at least about 0.005, and
• u, v and w are each numbers ranging from 0 to about 0.1, and
• calcining the pre-calcination composition.

A method for preparing a catalyst composition, the method comprising

• forming a pre-calcination composition comprising a compound represented by Formula I-B:
• NixAaBbCc (I-B),
• where
• A is an element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Ta, Nb, Hf, W, Y, Zn, Zr, Al, and mixtures of two or more thereof,
• B is an element selected from the group consisting of a lanthanide element, a group IIIA element, a group VA element, a group VIA element, a group IIIB element, a group IVB element, a group VB element, a group VIB element, and mixtures of two or more thereof,
• C is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or mixtures thereof,
• x is a number ranging from about 0.5 to about 0.96, a is a number ranging from about 0.04 to about 0.8, b is a number ranging from 0 to about 0.5, and c is a number ranging from 0 to about 0.5, and
• calcining the pre-calcination composition.