Mixed MVSb (M = Ni, Co, Bi, Sn) oxides supported by alumina were characterized and evaluated for oxidative dehydrogenations of light paraffins, ethylbenzene and ethanol. The most selective NiVSb catalyst was the most easily reduced that was interpreted on the assumption of reaction redox mechanism. The results of kinetic measurements revealed the concentration of gas-phase oxygen to be a key parameter affecting the dehydrogenation selectivity. To maintain it an optimum along the catalyst bed, a distributed oxygen feed was used.