Provided is a process for converting an alkane to an alkene. The process comprises (a) contacting the alkane and either (i) an oxidizing electrophile comprising a main group element in oxidized form, or (ii) an oxidant and a reduced form of the oxidizing electrophile, in a liquid medium comprising an oxygen acid and optionally one or more additives selected from a non-oxidizable liquid, a salt additive, a Lewis acid, and water, to provide an oxidized intermediate and a reduced form of the oxidizing electrophile; (b) optionally separating the oxidized intermediate and the reduced form of the oxidizing electrophile; and (c) performing an elimination reaction on the oxidized intermediate to provide the alkene and the oxygen acid.