Binary and ternary hydrotalcite-like (HT) materials containing copper, nickel, zinc, iron, magnesium and/or aluminum were synthesized by coprecipitation and characterized by elemental analysis, powder Xray diffraction and N-2 adsorption-desorption at -196 degrees C. Samples were calcined at 700 degrees C for 4 h, obtaining mixed oxides which were tested for sulfur oxides (SOx) removal. Their performance was compared with a commercial SOx reducing additive by thermogravimetric SOx uptake. SOx adsorption was carried out by contacting the calcined solid with a mixture of 1% SO2 in air at 650 degrees C. The adsorbed species were reduced with H-2 at 550 degrees C, 650 degrees C and 700 degrees C, in order to study their stability and the solid's regenerability. It was found that the isomorphic incorporation of a transition metal in the HT layers increased the mixed oxide's reduction ability. This was reflected on higher reduction rates and sulfate reduction amounts at 550 degrees C. Furthermore, these materials showed greater adsorption-reduction properties than the commercial additive. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.