Hydrotalcites (HTs) are prepared by low supersaturation and high supersaturation methods containing Mg2+ and Al3+ cations in the brucite-like sheets and having interlayer CO32- anions. Pd/HT with Pd2+ in the brucite layer was also prepared for comparison. Catalysts containing I wt% of Pd are prepared by impregnation method using different Pd precursors. HT and Pd on HT samples are well characterised by XRD and surface area analysis. CO chemisorption is used to estimate the dispersion and metal area of Pd. The supported metal catalysts are evaluated for phenol hydrogenation. Metal dispersion and catalytic activity depend on the calcination temperature of the HT support.