A method for producing a hydroisomerization catalyst includes a first step of preparing a support precursor by heating a mixture containing an ion-exchanged zeolite and a binder, the ion-exchanged zeolite being prepared by ion-exchanging an organic template-containing zeolite which contains an organic template and has a one-dimensional pore structure including a 10-membered ring in a solution containing ammonium ions and/or protons, at a temperature of 250 to 350° C. under N.sub.2 atmosphere, and a second step of preparing a hydroisomerization catalyst, which is prepared by calcining a catalyst precursor, the catalyst precursor being prepared based on the support precursor containing a platinum salt and/or a palladium salt, at a temperature of 350 to 400° C. in an atmosphere containing molecular oxygen, the hydroisomerization catalyst containing a support which includes a zeolite and carries platinum and/or palladium.

A family of new crystalline molecular sieves designated SSZ-91 is disclosed, as are methods for making SSZ-91 and uses for SSZ-91. 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.

An AFX framework type zeolite having a SiO.sub.2/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 molar ratio of greater than 50 is disclosed. The high-silica AFX framework type zeolite is synthesized from a reaction mixture having high silica and low hydroxide concentrations in the presence of an organic structure directing agent comprising 1,3-bis(1-adamantyl)imidazolium cations.

Zeolites having highly dispersed bimetallic clusters, uniformly distributed in size and composition, encapsulated therein are disclosed. Metal encapsulation and alloying is conferred by introducing ligated metal cation precursors into zeolite synthesis gels, which are subsequently crystallized hydrothermally to form zeolites with metal cations occluded in the pores. The ligated cations are anchored to the zeolite framework via siloxane bridges which enforces their uniform dispersion throughout the zeolite crystals. Treatment of the crystallized zeolites in O.sub.2 and then H.sub.2 forms bimetallic clusters, which remain narrowly distributed in size and composition.

Zeolites having highly dispersed bimetallic clusters, uniformly distributed in size and composition, encapsulated therein are disclosed. Metal encapsulation and alloying is conferred by introducing ligated metal cation precursors into zeolite synthesis gels, which are subsequently crystallized hydrothermally to form zeolites with metal cations occluded in the pores. The ligated cations are anchored to the zeolite framework via siloxane bridges which enforces their uniform dispersion throughout the zeolite crystals. Treatment of the crystallized zeolites in O.sub.2 and then H.sub.2 forms bimetallic clusters, which remain narrowly distributed in size and composition.

A process for isomerizing an aromatic cut containing at least one aromatic compound containing eight carbon atoms per molecule is described, comprising bringing said cut into contact with at least one catalyst comprising at least one metal from group VIII of the periodic classification of the elements, at least one zeolitic support comprising a zeolite selected from zeolites with structure type EUO and MOR, used alone or as a mixture, and at least one matrix, such that the specific surface area of the matrix in the zeolitic support of said catalyst is in the range 5 to 200 m.sup.2/g.

Improved alkylation catalysts, alkylation methods, and methods of making alkylation catalysts are described. The alkylation method comprises reaction over a solid acid, zeolite-based catalyst and can be conducted for relatively long periods at steady state conditions. The alkylation catalyst comprises a crystalline zeolite structure, a Si/Al molar ratio of 20 or less, less than 0.5 weight percent alkali metals, and further having a characteristic catalyst life property. Some catalysts may contain rare earth elements in the range of 10 to 35 wt %. One method of making a catalyst includes a calcination step following exchange of the rare earth element(s) conducted at a temperature of at least 575° C. to stabilize the resulting structure followed by an deammoniation treatment. An improved method of deammoniation uses low temperature oxidation.

The present invention provides crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites having a maximum pore size of eight tetrahedral atoms, wherein the zeolite has a total proton content of less than 2 mmol per gram. The zeolite may comprise 0.1 to 10 wt.-% of at least one transition metal, calculated as the respective oxide and based on the total weight of the zeolite. It may furthermore comprise at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal in a concentration of 0 to 2 wt.-%, calculated as the respective metal and based on the total weight of the zeolite. The zeolites may be used for the removal of NOx from automotive combustion exhaust gases.

Methods and systems for production of consistently-sized BEA zeolite nano-crystals incorporating at least one metal oxide, the method including removing an organic template from a BEA zeolite comprising an organic template via calcination; desilicating the BEA zeolite following the step of removing the organic template; incorporating at least one metal oxide into the structure of the BEA zeolite after the step of desilicating; protonating the BEA zeolite after the step of incorporating the at least one metal oxide; and calcining the BEA zeolite after the step of protonating to form a modified BEA zeolite product.

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.