The methods for synthesizing mordenite (MOR) zeolite crystals described herein utilize a combination of organics and produce MOR crystals with reduced size, higher Si/Al ratio, fewer stacking faults, less occluded organics in the final product, and a longer catalyst lifetime.

Provided is a mordenite zeolite which can be produced without using an organic structure-directing agent, and has superior multivalent metal cation exchange capability. The mordenite zeolite according to the present invention containing silicon, a divalent metal M and aluminum in a skeletal structure, wherein the mordenite zeolite has the following atomic ratios in the state of Na-form. The mordenite zeolite preferably has a BET specific surface area of 250 m.sup.2/g or more and 500 m.sup.2/g or less and a micropore volume of 0.07 cc/g or more and 0.25 cc/g or less in the state of Na-form or H-form. Si/(M+Al)=5 or more and 10 or less, M/(M+Al)=0.1 or more and less than 1, and Na/(M+Al)=1 or more and less than 2.

Provided is a mordenite zeolite which can be produced without using an organic structure-directing agent, and has superior multivalent metal cation exchange capability. The mordenite zeolite according to the present invention containing silicon, a divalent metal M and aluminum in a skeletal structure, wherein the mordenite zeolite has the following atomic ratios in the state of Na-form. The mordenite zeolite preferably has a BET specific surface area of 250 m.sup.2/g or more and 500 m.sup.2/g or less and a micropore volume of 0.07 cc/g or more and 0.25 cc/g or less in the state of Na-form or H-form. Si/(M+Al)=5 or more and 10 or less, M/(M+Al)=0.1 or more and less than 1, and Na/(M+Al)=1 or more and less than 2.

A process for preparing a zeolitic material having a zeolitic framework structure which exhibits a molar ratio (aAl.sub.2O.sub.3):SiO.sub.2 or a crystalline precursor thereof, comprising (i) preparing a mixture comprising H.sub.2O, one or more compounds comprising Si from which SiO.sub.2 in the zeolitic framework structure is formed, said one or more compounds comprising a silica gel exhibiting a molar ratio (c H.sub.2O):SiO.sub.2 and optionally one or more compounds comprising Al from which Al.sub.2O.sub.3 in the zeolitic framework structure is formed; (ii) subjecting the mixture obtained in (i) to crystallization at a crystallization temperature in the range of from 110 to 350 C., preferably in the range of from 190 to 350 C., and for a crystallization time in the range of from 0.1 to 48 h.

A process for converting a feedstock comprising an organic compound to a conversion product by contacting said feedstock at organic compound conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising a mordenite zeolite having a mesoporous surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm.

A process for converting a feedstock comprising an organic compound to a conversion product by contacting said feedstock at organic compound conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising a mordenite zeolite having a mesoporous surface area of greater than 30 m.sup.2/g and an average primary crystal size as measured by TEM of less than 80 nm.

Compositions and methods for preparing mesoporous and/or mesostructured materials from low SAR zeolites are provided herewith. In particular, methods are provided that involve: (a) providing a low SAR zeolite, (b) optionally subjecting the low SAR zeolite to an acid framework modification, and (c) subjecting the framework-modified zeolite to a mesopore formation treatment. The resulting mesoporous zeolites can have bi-modal mesoporosity and higher aluminum contents relative to existing mesoporous zeolites.

Compositions and methods for preparing mesoporous and/or mesostructured materials from low SAR zeolites are provided herewith. In particular, methods are provided that involve: (a) providing a low SAR zeolite, (b) optionally subjecting the low SAR zeolite to an acid framework modification, and (c) subjecting the framework-modified zeolite to a mesopore formation treatment. The resulting mesoporous zeolites can have bi-modal mesoporosity and higher aluminum contents relative to existing mesoporous zeolites.

Disclosed is a method for readily and inexpensively producing zeolite without using an organic structure-directing agent (organic SDA). Specifically disclosed is a method whereby a gel containing a silica source, an alumina source, an alkaline source and water is reacted with zeolite seed crystals, to produce a zeolite with the same kind of skeletal structure as the zeolite. The gel used is a gel of a composition whereby, when a zeolite is synthesized from this gel only, the synthesized zeolite comprises at least one of the kinds of composite building units of the target zeolite.

Disclosed is a method for readily and inexpensively producing zeolite without using an organic structure-directing agent (organic SDA). Specifically disclosed is a method whereby a gel containing a silica source, an alumina source, an alkaline source and water is reacted with zeolite seed crystals, to produce a zeolite with the same kind of skeletal structure as the zeolite. The gel used is a gel of a composition whereby, when a zeolite is synthesized from this gel only, the synthesized zeolite comprises at least one of the kinds of composite building units of the target zeolite.