Modulating　unique　microenvironment　including　both　oxidation　and　metallic　states　on　sub-nanocluster　metal　catalysts　remains　challenging,　since　designing　heterogeneous　catalysis　within　controllable　oxidation　state　is　necessary　for　achieving　optimum　performance.　Here　we　construct　stable　sub-nano-Co　clusters,　which　shows　different　microenvironment　with　the　reported　sub-nanocluster　catalysts　and　reported　Co-based　catalysts.　The　coexistence　of　both　ionic　bonds　of　Co-O　and　metallic　bonds　of　Co-Co　shows　features　of　multiple　oxidation　and　metallic　states,　which　changes　the　electronic　orbital　configuration　of　the　individual　Co　atom　in　clusters.　The　specific　microenvironment　within　low　oxidation　state　and　high　electron　density　promotes　combination　of　empty　and　filled　host　orbitals　to　yield　high　electron　transfer　between　metal　and　propane,　which　exhibits　higher　reactivity　than　the　reported　Co-based　and　other　non-noble　metals　catalysts.　The　desired　reactivity　offers　the　possibility　for　the　exploitation　of　highly　efficient　non-noble　metal　catalysts　for　propane　dehydrogenation　in　industrial　applications.　©　The　Author(s)　2024.