Abstract: Specific structural composites such as perovskite, spinel and hydrotalcite have attracted widespread research interest in catalytic applications due to their flexible composition, controllable structure, and better thermal stability. Dry reforming of methane is a technology with great application prospect for converting CH₄ and CO₂ into syngas with low H₂/CO molar ratio simultaneously. Conventional supported catalysts are susceptible to face the challenge of catalyst deactivation caused by carbon deposition and active component sintering under high-temperature reforming conditions, whereas supported catalysts derived from specific structural composites have attracted much attention owing to their superiority in terms of catalytic activity and stability. In this paper, the characteristics of dry reforming of methane, the challenges faced and the current research status of the reaction mechanism are first briefly outlined, and then elaborates on the structural characteristics of perovskite, spinel and hydrotalcite these three composites, the advantages and disadvantages of applying them as catalyst precursors in this reaction, their performance and the current status of research on the catalytic pathway. Perovskite structure is relatively more stable, but high calcination temperatures may easily lead to a lower surface area of its derived catalyst. Hydrotalcite-derived catalysts usually have a high specific surface area and can restore partially ordered layered structures when calcined under certain circumstances. Hydrotalcite and spinel are relatively more sensitive to temperature, and the presence of inverse spinel structure is beneficial for improving the reducibility of the derived catalysts. Additionally, the catalytic mechanisms of these three specific structural composites derived catalysts are summarized. The clear one is that CH₄ is activated at the active metal sites, and due to the influence of catalysts and operating conditions, researchers have not reached a clear consensus on the details of the reaction mechanism at the catalyst surface for the time being. Finally, some advice is put forward on the application of these specific structural composites derived catalysts in dry reforming of methane.