Layered double hydroxides (LDH) containing zinc and aluminium within the brucite-like layers and carbonate as the interlayer anion have been used as precursors for the preparation of mixed metal oxides by calcination. Zinc oxide and the ZnAl(2)O(4) spinel were formed with different degree of crystallinity depending of two parameters, i.e., the Zn(2+)/Al(3+) molar ratio and the calcination temperature (500-800 degrees C) of the LDH precursor. A pure spinel phase was obtained to remove ZnO upon a basic post-treatment in NaOH solution of the samples calcined at 800 degrees C. All the samples were tested for the photodegradation of 2-propanol in gas-solid regime. All the samples resulted active as heterogeneous photocatalysts. The photocatalytic activity increased by increasing the Zn(2+)/Al(3+) molar ratio and the calcination temperature of the solids. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.