“…17 In as-synthesized hydrotalcite, Al has six Mg atoms at nearest neighboring positions, connected through OH groups, whereas Mg has both Al and Mg at these positions. 18,19 Once calcined at elevated temperatures, hydrotalcites become effective catalysts for various carbon−carbon bond forming reactions, such as aldol, Knoevenagel, Michael, and Claisen-Schmidt condensation. 16,17,20−24 The catalytic competence of hydrotalcites after calcination is a result of the high surface area and moderate acidity/basicity of the resultant Mg− Al mixed oxides.…”