Pt nanoparticles supported on sheetlike mixed metal oxides (MMO) derived from layered double hydroxides are found to be highly efficient catalysts for the selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde. A series of characterizations are employed to investigate the structure and composition of the support and catalyst. Divalent species have a significant influence on the activity and selectivity. CoAl MMO-supported catalysts achieve an increase in both conversion and selectivity to cinnamyl alcohol through the formation of PtCo alloy on the surfaces of catalysts during preparation. A possible reaction path is proposed. The effects of Co/Al ratio and calcination temperature on catalytic performance are researched in this work. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.