A process for aromatizing hydrocarbons comprises: converting at least a portion of highly branched hydrocarbons in a feed stream into selectively convertible components, and aromatizing the selectively convertible components to produce an aromatization reactor effluent. The aromatization reactor effluent comprises an aromatic product. Converting at least the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons into the selectively convertible components may include contacting the feed stream with an isomerization catalyst in an isomerization reaction system under isomerization reaction conditions; and isomerizing the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons in the feed stream into the selectively convertible components.

A process for aromatizing hydrocarbons comprises: converting at least a portion of highly branched hydrocarbons in a feed stream into selectively convertible components, and aromatizing the selectively convertible components to produce an aromatization reactor effluent. The aromatization reactor effluent comprises an aromatic product. Converting at least the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons into the selectively convertible components may include contacting the feed stream with an isomerization catalyst in an isomerization reaction system under isomerization reaction conditions; and isomerizing the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons in the feed stream into the selectively convertible components.

Uses for a family of new crystalline molecular sieves designated SSZ-91 are disclosed. Molecular sieve SSZ-91 is structurally similar to sieves falling within the ZSM-48 family of molecular sieves, and is characterized as: (1) having a low degree of faulting, (2) a low aspect ratio that inhibits hydrocracking as compared to conventional ZSM-48 materials having an aspect ratio of greater than 8, and (3) is substantially phase pure.

Uses for a family of new crystalline molecular sieves designated SSZ-91 are disclosed. Molecular sieve SSZ-91 is structurally similar to sieves falling within the ZSM-48 family of molecular sieves, and is characterized as: (1) having a low degree of faulting, (2) a low aspect ratio that inhibits hydrocracking as compared to conventional ZSM-48 materials having an aspect ratio of greater than 8, and (3) is substantially phase pure.

A process for aromatizing hydrocarbons comprises: converting at least a portion of highly branched hydrocarbons in a feed stream into selectively convertible components, and aromatizing the selectively convertible components to produce an aromatization reactor effluent. The aromatization reactor effluent comprises an aromatic product. Converting at least the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons into the selectively convertible components may include contacting the feed stream with an isomerization catalyst in an isomerization reaction system under isomerization reaction conditions; and isomerizing the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons in the feed stream into the selectively convertible components.

A process for aromatizing hydrocarbons comprises: converting at least a portion of highly branched hydrocarbons in a feed stream into selectively convertible components, and aromatizing the selectively convertible components to produce an aromatization reactor effluent. The aromatization reactor effluent comprises an aromatic product. Converting at least the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons into the selectively convertible components may include contacting the feed stream with an isomerization catalyst in an isomerization reaction system under isomerization reaction conditions; and isomerizing the portion of the highly branched hydrocarbons in the feed stream into the selectively convertible components.

A process for the production of para-xylene is presented. The process includes the isomerization of C8 aromatics to para-xylene utilizing a new catalyst. The new catalyst and designated as UZM-54 is represented by the empirical composition in the as synthesized and anhydrous basis expressed by the empirical formula of:
M.sub.m.sup.n+R.sub.1 r1.sup.p.sub.1.sup.+R.sub.2 r2.sup.p.sub.2.sup.+Al.sub.1-xE.sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.z
where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as sodium and/or potassium, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are organoammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium, iron, boron, or indium. UZM-54 are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns, high meso surface area, low Si/Al ratios.

A process for the production of para-xylene is presented. The process includes the isomerization of C8 aromatics to para-xylene utilizing a new catalyst. The new catalyst and designated as UZM-54 is represented by the empirical composition in the as synthesized and anhydrous basis expressed by the empirical formula of:
M.sub.m.sup.n+R.sub.1 r1.sup.p.sub.1.sup.+R.sub.2 r2.sup.p.sub.2.sup.+Al.sub.1-xE.sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.z
where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as sodium and/or potassium, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are organoammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium, iron, boron, or indium. UZM-54 are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns, high meso surface area, low Si/Al ratios.

A catalyst is described comprising at least one IZM-2 zeolite containing silicon atoms and aluminium atoms, at least one matrix and at least one metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of the elements, the zeolite having a ratio between the number of moles of silicon and the number of moles of aluminium in the range 60 to 150. Said catalyst is used in a process for the isomerization of an aromatic feed comprising at least one compound containing eight carbon atoms per molecule.

A catalyst is described comprising at least one IZM-2 zeolite containing silicon atoms and aluminium atoms, at least one matrix and at least one metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of the elements, the zeolite having a ratio between the number of moles of silicon and the number of moles of aluminium in the range 60 to 150. Said catalyst is used in a process for the isomerization of an aromatic feed comprising at least one compound containing eight carbon atoms per molecule.