Mo2C prepared on SiO2 was found to be an effective catalyst for the dehydrogenation of ethane to produce ethylene in the presence of CO2. The selectivity to ethylene at 850-923 K was 90-95% at an ethane conversion of 8-30%. With the increase of the temperature the dry reforming of ethane became also a significant process. It is assumed that the Mo oxycarbide formed in the reaction between CO2 and Mo2C plays an important role in the activation of ethane.