The effects of cationic (Ce, Zr, and La) and anionic (S, P, and Cl) admixtures on the activity and physicochemical properties of MnNaW/SiO 2 were studied in order to optimize the composition of a catalyst for the oxidative condensation of methane (OCM). It was found that OCM process characteristics can be reg ulated by varying the type (Ce, Zr, La, S, P, and Cl) and concentration (0.5-5 wt %) of a modifying admix ture. For the modified MnNaW/SiO 2 catalysts, the yield of the target reaction products increased in the fol lowing order of modifying admixtures: S < Zr < P < Ce < La < Cl. The addition of lanthanum, cerium, or phosphorus admixtures insignificantly affected the activity of the MnNaW/SiO 2 catalyst, whereas the intro duction of sulfur or zirconium led to a decrease in the yield of C 2 hydrocarbons. Modification with chlorine improved process characteristics and shifted a maximum yield of C 2 hydrocarbons to the low temperature region. It was established that the introduction of lanthanum considerably improved the stability of catalyst operation. The catalyst composition 2Mn-1.6Na-3.1W-2La/SiO 2 was developed to afford a 22% yield of target C 2 hydrocarbons at a 54% conversion of methane after a 24 h reaction performed under optimum conditions (reaction temperature, 800°C; reaction mixture flow rate, 117 mL min -1 and O 2 /CH 4 molar ratio, 0.5).