Dehydrogenation of propane on Pt or PtSn catalyst over Al2O3 or SBA-15 support was investigated. The catalysts were characterized by CO-pulse chemisorption, thermogravimetry, temperature-programmed-reduction of H-2, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of absorbed CO. The results show that the platinum species is in oxidation state in the catalyst on Al2O3 support, so the catalyst must be reduced in H-2 before dehydrogenation reaction. Addition of Sn improves the Pt dispersion, but the catalyst deactivates rapidly because of the coke formation. The interaction of Pt and Al2O3 is strong. On SBA-15 support, the platinum species is completely reduced to Pt-0 in the calcination process, so the reduction is not needed. Addition of Sn improves the activity and selectivity of the catalyst. The interaction of Pt and SBA-15 is weak, so it is easy for Pt particles to sinter. (C) 2014 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.