Mixed Ni-Cr-V, Mg-Cr-V, and Ni-Al-V oxides have been prepared by thermal decomposition of layered precursors with the hydrotalcite structure (brucite-like layers containing divalent and trivalent cations, and interlayer anions balancing the extra positive charge of the layers) at 300 or 500 degrees C. Surface acidity (Bronsted and Lewis) has been assessed by FT-IR monitoring of pyridine adsorption. Ni-Al-V samples are more acidic (Bronsted and Lewis), while those with Cr contain only surface Lewis acid sites. Adsorption of 2-propanol takes place dissociatively, leading to alcoholate that is oxidized to acetone at 300 degrees C via a Mars-van Krevelen mechanism; such an oxidation is more extensive in the less acidic (Cr-containing) samples. Both the nature of the cations and the previous calcination temperature of the hydrotalcite control the oxidative properties of the mixed oxides.