The present invention regards a catalytic composition comprising gallium,
at least one element chosen in the group of the lanthanides, and a
zeolite belonging to the MFI, MEL or MFI/MEL families, the crystal
lattice of which is made up of silicon oxide and at least one metal oxide
chosen from among aluminum oxide, boron oxide and gallium oxide.
Preferably, in the catalytic compositions of the present invention a
zeolite is used belonging to the MFI family characterized by crystallites
which for at least 90% have diameters smaller than 500 .ANG. and which
can form agglomerates of submicron dimensions characterized by possessing
at least 30% of the extrazeolitic porosity in the region of the
mesopores. The catalytic compositions of the present invention can, in
addition, contain rhenium. These catalytic compositions are useful in
processes of aromatization of hydrocarbons containing from 3 to 6 carbon
atoms, preferably, hydrocarbon mixtures containing olefins.