A catalyst of a gallium zeolite on which platinum (Pt/Ga-ZSM-5) has been
deposited may be used for aromatization of alkanes having two to six
carbon atoms per molecule, such as ethane, propane, butane, etc., to
aromatics, such as benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX). The gallium
zeolite contains gallium and silicon in the framework of the zeolite
structure. The zeolite structure may be of MFI, FAU, TON, MFL, VPI, MEL,
AEL, AFI, MWW or MOR, but preferably, the zeolite has a MFI structure,
more preferably is ZSM-5 MFI zeolite. According to the IUPAC
recommendations, an example of the sodium form of the zeolite would be
represented as:
|Na.sub.x(H.sub.2O).sub.z|[Ga.sub.xSi.sub.yO.sub.2y+3x/2]-MFI where x=0.1
25; y=60 100; and z=0.1 10. Platinum may be deposited on the gallium
zeolite by ion exchange or impregnation.