The mechanism of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx by propene over SnO2/Al2O3 catalyst in the presence of oxygen has been investigated using in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. In situ IR measurements indicate that acetate and formate, which are the derivatives of the partial oxidation of propene, play a crucial role in the formation of NCO by reacting with the reactive monodentate nitrate species. The resulting NCO species subsequently reacts with NOx to form N-2. The presence of oxygen substantially contributes to the partial oxidation of propene and thus shows a promoting effect for the NOx reduction.