This invention relates to a process for the dehydrogenation of C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbons at dehydrogenation conditions with a pillared mica catalyst which contains an active metal selected from the group consisting of Pt, Cr and mixtures thereof, and a first modifier metal selected from the group consisting of Sn, Ga and mixtures thereof. The micas may also contain a second modifier metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof.