A series of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) materials containing different divalent and trivalent cations [Mg(1-x-y)Me(x)Al(y)(OH)(2)] (CO(3))(y/2)center dot mH(2)O, where Me: Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn; were prepared by coprecipitation. The solids were characterized by X-ray diffraction, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) of CO(2); thermogravimetric and textural analysis were also performed. All solids, dried at 100 degrees C, showed XRD patterns typical of hydrotalcite, where Me cations isomorphically replaced some Mg(2+) cations within the layers, thus forming a ternary LDH, as the starting material. The materials were calcined at 550 degrees C and tested as catalysts in the gas-phase conversion of 4-methylpentan-2-ol at 200 degrees C. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.