Method for preparing and using nickel catalysts

A composition formed by heat treating to a temperature of at least about 700.degree. C. under conditons for reforming of a hydrocarbyl compound to prepare synthesis gas comprising a mixture of carbon monoxide and molecular hydrogen, a dehydrated nickel-containing material manufactured by a process which comprises:

• (12-A) Blending in an aqueous medium (i) about two molar parts of one or more divalent metal compound none of which is a salt and comprises Ni.sup.2+ ions, or Ni.sup.2+ ions and another divalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+ and Cu.sup.2+ ions, and (ii) about one molar part in sum of a trivalent compound which is not a salt and comprises at least Al.sup.3+ ions and optionally another selected from the group consisting of Ga.sup.3+, Ni.sup.3+, Co.sup.3+, Fe.sup.3+, Mn.sup.3+, Cr.sup.3+, V.sup.3+, Ti.sup.3+, La.sup.3+ and In.sup.3+ ions, and (iii) about one-half to about one molar part of a water soluble interstitial anion precursor, to produce a mixture;
• (12-B) Heating the mixture to a temperature in a range of about 50.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. and maintaining the mixture at elevated temperature for at least about one hour to form an anionic layered mixed hydroxide;
• (12-C) Recovering the anionic layered mixed hydroxide from the mixture;
• and
• (12-D) Calcining the recovered layered mixed hydroxide for not less than about one hour at a temperature of about 450.degree. C. or hotter, to produce a dehydrated nickel-containing material.