Catalytic activity and selectivity of niobate-based nanostructured materials were investigated. Dry methane reforming (DMR) and ethylene homologation reaction (EHR) were selected as test reactions. KSr2Nb5O15, Sr2NaNb5O15 and NaSr2(NiNb4)O-15 (delta) niobate powders were prepared by the high energy ball milling method and calcined in a reductor atmosphere. N-2 adsorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy characterization was performed. Hydrogen pretreated niobates showed from low to moderate catalytic initial activity in DMR's test, nevertheless the materials were deactivated rapidly and the kinetic parameters associated to deactivation were estimated. Otherwise, non-treated catalysts showed a high initial activity in EHR's test and KSr2Nb5O15 catalyst requires 24 h to the total deactivation with a high selectivity to form propylene. A reaction mechanism to the propylene formation is discussed. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.