Catalyst compositions for aromatizing hydrocarbons and processes for producing aromatic compounds using the catalyst compositions

A process for aromatizing hydrocarbons, the process comprising:

• contacting the hydrocarbons with a catalyst composition comprising gallium oxide dispersed on surfaces of a zeolite support, where the catalyst composition is prepared by a synthesis process comprising:
• combining the zeolite support with a hydrocarbon solvent to form a zeolite mixture, where the hydrocarbon solvent pre-wets the pores of the zeolite support,
• combining a polar solvent comprising a gallium salt with the zeolite mixture to form an impregnated zeolite support mixture, where the volume of the impregnated zeolite support mixture increases throughout the combining of the polar solvent,
• drying the impregnated zeolite support mixture to form an impregnated zeolite support, and
• calcining the impregnated zeolite support to convert the gallium salt to the gallium oxide, thereby forming the catalyst composition;
• and
• where contacting the hydrocarbons with the catalyst composition causes at least a portion of the hydrocarbons to undergo a chemical reaction to form aromatic hydrocarbons.