Hydrotalcite-like compounds containing Co(II) and Cr(III) in the brucite-like layers have been prepared. The interlayer anion was carbonate or decavanadate. The chemical formulas of the samples are [Co0.65Cr0.35(OH)(2)] (CO3)(0.175). 1.22H(2)O (sample CoCrC) and [Co0.61Cr0.39(OH)(2)](V10O28)(0.065). 1.35H(2)O (sample CoCrV). The compounds have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, XAS, vis-UV, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopies, while the surface textures were assessed by nitrogen adsorption. Reducibility has been studied by temperature-programmed reduction. A similar characterization study has been carried out on samples obtained after calculation of the parent samples in air at increasing temperatures. Results indicate an ordered structure, with Co(II) and Cr(III) ions in octahedral holes of the brucite-like layers and, in CoCrV, decavanadate species with its main C-2 axis parallel to the layers. Thermal decomposition at increasing temperatures takes place, for CoCrC, through intermediate formation of Cr(VI) species, which are again reduced to Cr(III) at higher temperatures; simultaneously, Co(II) is oxidized to Co(III) (even at 673 K), thus leading to formation of (CoCoCrO4)-Co-II-Cr-III-O-III. However, decomposition of CoCrV takes place through partial depolymerization of decavanadate species and formation of (CoCr2O4)-Cr-II and (Co2V2O7)-V-II, Without intermediate formation of Cr(VI) species.