The effect of K addition on the amount and dispersion of carbon deposition on metal sites and support sites was investigated on a physical mixture for hexane dehydrogenation. TPO, BET and ESR experiments were used for characterization. The K addition significantly decreases catalyst deactivation involving the amount of coke deposits and the density of carbon radicals on the metal and support sites because of ensemble and electronic effects, especially on the metal sites. Coke on the metal sites associated with carbonaceous species rich in hydrogen is less polymerized than coke on the support sites. corresponding to a more graphitic-like carbon.