Abstract: A large number of defects were formed on the surface of MgO crystal on shock wave treatment. The microdistortion value of crystal increased obviously and some F colour centers are considered to be formed.The shock wave treated MgO exhibited a higher ethane conversion and ethylene selectivity in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane, The effects of reaction temperature,time and space velocity in dehydrogenation have been examined. A possible model for structure modification and a catalytic mechanism of MGO crystal on the shock wave treatnient have been proposed.

Key words: magnesium oxide crystal, shock wave treatment, ethane, catalytic oxidative dehy-drogenation