PURPOSE: To prepare a hydrocarbon, especially 2W4C unsaturated hydrocarbon, in high selectivity, by the catalytic vapor-phase reaction of methanol or dimethyl ether using a catalyst comprising a specific interlaminar clay compound which can be prepared easily in high reproducibility.

CONSTITUTION: Hydrocarbon is prepared by the catalytic vapor-phase reaction of methanol or dimethyl ether. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising an interlaminar clay compound obtained by inserting a compound of cationic metal element (e.g. aluminum, zirconium, silicon, bismuth, etc.) into the clay mineral belonging to crystalline phillosilicate (e.g. montmorillonite, bentonite, etc.). The interlaminar distance of the interlaminar clay compound is preferably ≥4.5.