Methods of preparing an aromatization catalyst

A method of preparing a catalyst comprising:

• calcining an extruded base to form a calcined extruded base, wherein the extruded base comprises a KL-zeolite and a binder;
• contacting the calcined extruded base with a first fluorine-containing compound to form a fluorinated calcined extruded base;
• washing the fluorinated calcined extruded base to form a washed fluorinated calcined extruded base;
• drying the washed fluorinated calcined extruded base to form a dried washed fluorinated calcined extruded base;
• calcining the dried washed fluorinated calcined extruded base to form a bound zeolite support;
• and
• contacting the bound zeolite support with a Group VIII metal and a second fluorine-containing compound and after contacting the bound zeolite support with the Group VIII metal and the second fluorine-containing compound, drying and then calcining the bound zeolite support to form the catalyst,
• wherein the average crush strength of the catalyst is greater than 12 lb based on at least two samples of pellets of the catalyst measured in accordance with ASTM D4179, and
• wherein the first fluorine-containing compound and the second fluorine-containing compound may be the same or different.