Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been used in the oxidative dehydrogenation of 9,10-dihydroanthracene in an organic solvent (toluene) using molecular oxygen as the oxidant, and in the absence of trace amounts of metals. The process is selective and almost no anthraquinone is formed. Thermal treatment of the MWCNTs at 2600 C favours deoxygenation of the support and markedly improves the catalytic activity. MWCNTs are better catalysts than either charcoal or exfoliated carbon. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.