Ni/Al/Fe/Mg/Cu/Cr hydrotalcite-like compound was synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Various parameters such as Ni/Al molar ratio, reduction temperature and reaction solvent played a great role in xylose hydrogenation. The specific textural and chemical characteristics of prepared samples were identified by ICP-AES, XRD, XPS, NH3-TPD and nitrogen physisorption, etc. A catalyst recycling experiment demonstrated that Ni7.22Fe1.13Al1.42 maintained excellent activity, stability and magnetism, and it could be reused more than three times.