Patent ID: 7611689

Claim:
A process for the preparation of a zeolite, useful as a component of a naphtha-selective hydrocracking catalyst composition, wherein said process comprises: a) providing a starting zeolite of the faujasite structure having a silica to alumina ratio of from 4.5 to 6.5 and an alkali level of less than 1.5% wt; b) hydrothermally treating said starting zeolite at a temperature in the range of from 550 to 850° C. and at a partial pressure of steam in the range of from 0 to 100 vol %, basis total gas present, for a time effective to produce a intermediate zeolite having a unit cell size of from 24.35 to 24.50 Å; c) contacting the intermediate zeolite with an acidified solution comprising an acid under conditions effective to produce a zeolite having a unit cell size in the range of from 24.40 Å to 24.50 Å; a bulk silica to alumina ratio (SAR) in the range of from 7.5 to 9.0; and an alkali metal content of less than 0.15 wt %; and d) recovering said zeolite.