Dealuminated form of BEA zeolite with Si/Al ratio of 1500 was used for the synthesis of Ag2.0SiBEA, Ni2.0SiBEA and Ag2.0Ni2.0SiBEA by two-step postsynthesis method. The calcination of zeolite samples led to the formation of well dispersed isolated mononuclear Ag(I) and Agnδ + clusters and a pseudo-tetrahedral Ni(II), incorporated in BEA framework as evidenced by DR UV–vis investigations. The treatment of samples in flowing 10% H2/Ar stream gave small (average 3.1 nm) and well dispersed metal nanoparticles. Reduced catalysts were investigated in 1,2-dichloroethane hydrodechlorination at atmospheric pressure, at low reaction temperature (523 K) with ~ 100% of selectivity to ethylene, desired product of the reaction.