The invention relates to a process for preparing molecular sieves, such as ZSM-57, using one or more structure directing agents selected from the group consisting of N.sup.1,N.sup.1,N.sup.5,N.sup.5-tetraethyl-N.sup.1,N.sup.5-dimethylpentane-1,5-diaminium, 1-ethyl-1-(5-(1-methylpiperidin-1-ium-1-yl)pentyl)piperidin-1-ium, 1,1-(hexane-1,6-diyl)bis(1-ethylpiperidin-1-ium), and 1,1-diethylpyrrolidin-1-ium.

A catalyst composite may include a molecular sieve having pores of 10- or more-membered rings and a metal silicate different from the molecular sieve. The metal silicate may include at least one alkaline earth metal and one or more of the following metals: Ga, Al, Ce, In, Cs, Sc, Sn, Li, Zn, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ti and V. The catalyst composite may include at least 0.1 wt % of silicate. The catalyst composite may be used in an XTO reactor or for catalytic cracking.