An A-site deficient and Ni-doped LaMnO3 perovskite (LMN) is prepared and reduced in 5% H-2-N-2 at 800 degrees C for 1 (R-LMN) and 6 (ER-LMN) h for evaluation as catalysts for C2H6 dehydrogenation to co-produce C2H4 and H-2. The 1 h reduction causes the formation of Ni nanoparticles embedded in a perovskite substrate similar to LMN, but the excessive reduction for 6 h causes LMN decomposition to La2O3, MnO and Ni nanoparticles. The performance of the catalysts increases with increasing temperature. R-LMN demonstrates the highest performance among the catalysts studied, with 41.6% C2H6 conversion and 98.0% C2H4 selectivity at 750 degrees C; ER-LMN exhibits the lowest catalytic performance because of LMN decomposition. The performance of R-LMN is essentially stable during a 50 h test; and the slow growth of Ni nanoparticles slightly increases C2H6 conversion and decreases C2H4 selectivity due to the increase of the surface area of the Ni nanoparticles. (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.