Catalytic composition for producing an alpha-olefin and methods of making same. The catalytic composition includes a gamma-alumina substrate dopes with at least one element consisting of bismuth, copper, gallium, phosphorus, tin, and zinc, an amount of each element being within a range of from 150 parts per million to 1000 parts per million relative to a total doped weight of the gamma-alumina substrate. Additionally, at least one element is combined with at least one element consisting of cesium, lithium, and magnesium, an amount of each element being within the range of from 150 parts per million to 1000 parts per million relative to the total doped weight of the gamma-alumina substrate.