| abstract |
Hydrotalcite-like clays, catalysts derived therefrom, and methods of hydrocarbon reforming using the catalyst are disclosed. The hydrotalcite-like clays, which may be calcined to form the catalyst, have the formula [M2+(1-x)M3+x(OH)2]x+(An-x/n).mH2O at an elevated temperature for a time sufficient to decompose A and to dehydrate said compound, wherein M2+ comprises at least two species of metal ions having a valence of 2+ selected from the group consisting of Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, and Mg2+, provided that if M2+ comprises Mg2+ at least one of Zn2+ and Ni2+ is also present, wherein the atomic ratio of the total of Zn2+ and Mg2+ to the total of Cu2+ and Ni2+ is up to about 9, inclusive, wherein the total of Zn2+ and Mg2+ comprises at least about 5 wt. % of said M2+ metals; M3+ is at least one metal ion having a valence of 3+ selected from the group consisting of Al3+, Fe3+, Cr3+, La3+, Ce3+, and mixtures thereof; x is a number in the range of about 0.1 to about 0.5, inclusive; A is an anion having a charge of -n; n is an integer in the range of 1 to 6, inclusive; and, m is zero or a positive number. |