Provided in this disclosure are oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts that include a mixed metal oxide having the empirical formula: Mo1.0V0.12-0.49Te0.05-0.17Nb0.10-0.20Od wherein d is a number to satisfy the valence of the oxide. The oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst is characterized by having XRD diffraction peaks (2θ degrees) at 22±0.2, 27±0.2, 28.0±0.2, and 28.3±0.1. The disclosure also provides methods of making the catalysts that include wet ball milling.