NiMgAl-, CuNiAl- and CuMgAl-layered double hydroxides were prepared and after calcination, they were used to promote the hydrodechlorination of trichloroethylene. The calcined materials were active in the reaction and remained so in the repeated reaction after applying the rehydration-recalcination regeneration protocol. The freshly prepared, the calcined, the used, as well as the regenerated materials were studied by a range of methods (X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, BET surface area measurements). These results together with reaction data proved that the calcined layered double hydroxides, even without noble metal additives, acted as occasionally highly active and always highly hydrocarbon-selective catalysts in the hydrodechlorination reaction. [GRAPHICS]