A series of Mg modified NiGa hydrotalcite-like compounds (Ni2MgxGa-LDHs，x=0, 1 and 2) have been prepared by coprecipitation method, and the structure, composition and the amount of surface basic site were characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, ICP and Hammet indicators method. These catalysts were then studied in the selective oxidation of alcohol to aldehyde using molecular oxygen as the oxidant. The results indicated that introduction of Mg could efficiently improve the surface basicity and the catalytic activity in the selective oxidation of alcohol. Under the selected conditions (benzyl alcohol 1 mmol, me-sitylene 5 mL, Ni2Mg2Ga-LDH 0.5 g, 120 ℃, O2 10 mL/min, 4 h), the conversion of benzyl alcohol and the selectivity of benzaldehyde reached above 99%. The catalytic system could tolerate various substrates. The catalysts could be recycled 4 times without obvious loss of the catalytic activity, indicating its high stability.