BiMoCex catalysts (x = 0-0.4) were prepared by co-precipitation method and tested in the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of 1-butenes to 1,3-butadiene. The results indicate that the cerium content has significant effects on the performance of catalyst. BiMoCe0.2 exhibits the superior activity and stability during the 100 h test. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed re-oxidation (TPRO), 1-Butene temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and pulse O-2 adsorption characterization reveal that the oxygen mobility and the adsorption ability of 1-butene of catalysts are two crucial factors determining catalytic performance in ODH reaction. The active phases on BiMoCex play different roles in the reaction. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.