An oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent is provided. A method of producing olefins from hydrocarbons with a concomitant production of water (oxidative dehydrogenation), using the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent is also provided. The sulfur oxygen transfer reagent can be used as an oxygen transfer reagent, and therefore acts as a non-metal carrier, for oxygen in a redox looping reactor for an oxidative dehydrogenation process such as the conversion of ethane to ethylene. The reduced forms of oxides of sulfur, formed in in this oxidative dehydrogenation process, can be re-oxidized with air and generate useful process heat. Also provided are methods of using the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent, and an apparatus for effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon feed. Methods of producing the oxide of sulfur oxygen transfer reagent are also provided.