There is provided a process for converting hydrocarbons using a catalyst comprising
macrostructures having a three-dimensional network of particles comprised of porous
inorganic material. The particles of the macrostructures occupy less than 75% of
the total volume of the macrostructures and are joined together to form a three-dimensional
interconnected network comprised of pores having diameters greater than about 20
. The macrostructures can be made by forming an admixture containing a
porous organic ion exchanger and a synthesis mixture capable of forming the porous
inorganic material; converting the synthesis mixture to the porous inorganic material;
and removing the porous organic ion exchanger from the inorganic material.