The effects of some transition- and lanthanide-metal oxides in LiCl/sulfated-zirconia (SZ) catalysts on catalytic behavior in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane were investigated. It is found that modification of LiCl/SZ by metal oxides significantly improves the catalytic activity and ethene yield. Among those additives, Ni and Nd oxides show the best promoting effect in terms of ethane conversion and ethene yield. 93% ethane conversion with 83% selectivity to ethene has been achieved over the Nd2O3-LiCl/SZ catalyst at 650(degrees)C. In addition, those oxide-promoted LiCl/SZ catalysts are also found to exhibit a longer stability in catalytic performance. Metal-oxide additives change the chemical structure and surface redox properties, which accounts for the enhancement of activity.