This disclosure relates to new crystalline microporous solids (including silicate- and aluminosilicate-based solids), the compositions comprising 8 and 10 membered inorganic rings, particularly those having IWV topologies having a range of Si:Al ratios, methods of preparing these and known crystalline microporous solids using certain quaternized imidazolium cation templates.

The invention relates to a process for combined ethylbenzene reforming and xylene isomerisation comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing ethylbenzene and xylene with a catalyst comprising a catalyst carrier and one or more metal(s) supported on the catalyst carrier, wherein the catalyst carrier is an extrudate comprising (i) a ZSM-48 and/or EU-2 type zeolite and (ii) an alumina binder, the extrudate having a shape with a C/A value of at least 3, where C is the circumference of the extrudate and A is the cross-sectional area of the extrudate. The metal may be platinum and the alumina may be a wide-pore alumina. The process displays high conversion rates whilst maintaining low levels of side-product formation.

The invention relates to a process for combined ethylbenzene reforming and xylene isomerisation comprising contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing ethylbenzene and xylene with a catalyst comprising a catalyst carrier and one or more metal(s) supported on the catalyst carrier, wherein the catalyst carrier is an extrudate comprising (i) a ZSM-48 and/or EU-2 type zeolite and (ii) an alumina binder, the extrudate having a shape with a C/A value of at least 3, where C is the circumference of the extrudate and A is the cross-sectional area of the extrudate. The metal may be platinum and the alumina may be a wide-pore alumina. The process displays high conversion rates whilst maintaining low levels of side-product formation.

The present invention relates to a catalyst for isomerization of alkylated aromatics such as mixed xylenes, using xylene isomerization catalyst particles including post-framework modified *BEA zeolite in which zirconium atoms and/or hafnium atoms, optionally in combination with titanium atoms, form a part of a framework of a beta-type zeolite.

The present invention relates to a catalyst for isomerization of alkylated aromatics such as mixed xylenes, using xylene isomerization catalyst particles including post-framework modified *BEA zeolite in which zirconium atoms and/or hafnium atoms, optionally in combination with titanium atoms, form a part of a framework of a beta-type zeolite.

The present invention relates to a catalyst for isomerization of alkylated aromatics such as mixed xylenes, using xylene isomerization catalyst particles including post-framework modified USY zeolite in which zirconium atoms and/or titanium atoms and/or hafnium atoms form a part of a framework of an ultra-stable Y-type zeolite.

The present invention relates to a catalyst for isomerization of alkylated aromatics such as mixed xylenes, using xylene isomerization catalyst particles including post-framework modified USY zeolite in which zirconium atoms and/or titanium atoms and/or hafnium atoms form a part of a framework of an ultra-stable Y-type zeolite.

Novel MEL framework type zeolites can be made to have small crystallite sizes and desirable silica/SiO.sub.2 molar ratios. Catalyst compositions comprising such MEL framework type zeolites can be particularly advantageous in isomerization C8 aromatic mixtures. An isomerization process for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons can advantageously utilize a catalyst composition comprising a MEL framework type zeolite.

Novel MEL framework type zeolites can be made to have small crystallite sizes and desirable silica/SiCb molar ratios. Catalyst compositions comprising such MEL framework type zeolites can be particularly advantageous in isomerization C8 aromatic mixtures. An isomerization process for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons can advantageously utilize a catalyst composition comprising a MEL framework type zeolite.

Novel MEL framework type zeolites can be made to have small crystallite sizes and desirable silica/SiCb molar ratios. Catalyst compositions comprising such MEL framework type zeolites can be particularly advantageous in isomerization C8 aromatic mixtures. An isomerization process for converting C8 aromatic hydrocarbons can advantageously utilize a catalyst composition comprising a MEL framework type zeolite.