Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the main precursor for ozone formation and hazardous to human health. Light alkane as one of the typical VOCs is difficult to degrade to CO 2 and H 2 O by catalytic degradation method due to its strong C–H bond. Herein, a series of ultrafine Ru nanoclusters (<0.95 nm) enveloped in silicalite-1 (S-1) zeolite catalysts were designed and prepared by a simple one-pot method and applied for catalytic degradation of propane. The results demonstrate that the enveloped Ru 1 @S-1 catalyst has excellent propane degradation performance. Its T 95 is as low as 294 °C with moisture, and the turnover frequency (TOF) value is up to 5.07 × 10−3 s−1, evidently higher than that of the comparison supported catalyst (Ru 1 /S-1). Importantly, Ru 1 @S-1 exhibits superior thermal stability, water resistance and recyclability, which should be attributed to the confinement and shielding effect of the S-1 shell. The in-situ DRIFTS result reveals that the propane degradation over Ru 1 @S-1 follows the Mars-van-Krevelen (MvK) mechanism, where the hydroxy from the framework of zeolite can provide the active oxygen species. Our work provides a new candidate and guideline for an efficient and stable catalyst for the low-temperature degradation of the light alkane VOCs. [Display omitted] • Ultrafine Ru nanoclusters enveloped in silicalite-1 were designed and prepared (Ru@S-1). • Ru@S-1 showed enhanced propane degradation performance. • The enhanced performance was attributed to the confinement and shielding effect zeolite shell. • Hydroxy from the framework of zeolite can provide the active oxygen species. • Propane total oxidation over Ru@S-1 follows the Mars-van-Krevelen mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]