Nanoplatelet-based reconstructed hydrotalcites: towards more efficient solid base catalysts in aldol condensations

Rehydration of Mg–Al hydrotalcite in the liquid phase using ultrasounds or a high stirring speed leads to nanoplatelets with surface areas of 400 m^2 g^–1, displaying catalytic activities in aldol condensations up to 8 times higher than the best catalytic system reported in the literature.