The oxidative dehydrogenation of dihydroarenes catalyzed by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-benzoquinone(DDQ) and NaNO(2) with dioxygen is reported. The combination of DDQ and NaNO(2) showed high efficiency and high selectivity, compared with other benzoquinones and anthraquinones, e.g., >99% conversion of 9,10-dihydroanthracene with 99% selectivity for anthracene can be obtained at 120 degrees C under 1.3 MPa O(2) for 8 h. Excellent results were achieved in the oxidative dehydrogenation of variety of dihydroarenes.