HAlBEA zeolite obtained by calcination of parent TEABEA zeolite at 823 K for 3 h in air following ion exchange with NH4NO3 solution and calcination at 773 K for 3 h was used for synthesis of cobalt containing zeolite by conventional wet impregnation with an aqueous solution of Co(NO3)(2). The calcination of as-prepared Co(2.0)HAlBEA at 773 K in air led to the formation of C-Co(2.0)HAlBEA with isolated mononuclear Co(II) and polynuclear Co(II) and Co(III) species as evidenced by XRD, FTIR, DR UV-Vis and XPS. C-HAlBEA and C-Co(2.0)HAlBEA treated up to 1200 K in flowing 10% H-2/Ar were investigated as the catalysts in hydrogen-assisted dehydrochlorination of 1,2-dichloroethane. Both C-HAlBEA and C-Co(2.0)HAlBEA catalysts were given 100% of selectivity toward vinyl chloride monomer in the presence of hydrogen at rather low reaction temperature (i.e. 523 K). Specific balance between amounts of Bronsted and Lewis acidic related, respectively, to Si-O(H)-Al and unsaturated Al(III), Co(II) and/or Co(III) species had a beneficial impact on the activity and stability of C-Co(2.0)HAlBEA catalyst. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.