Acidic aromatization catalysts with improved activity and selectivity

A supported catalyst comprising:

• a bound zeolite base comprising a silica-bound K/L-zeolite;
• from about 0.7 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % of platinum, based on the total weight of the supported catalyst;
• from about 2 wt. % to about 3.3 wt. % of chlorine, based on the total weight of the supported catalyst;
• and
• from about 0.5 wt. % to about 1.1 wt. % of fluorine, based on the total weight of the supported catalyst;
• wherein the supported catalyst is characterized by a peak reduction temperature on a Temperature Programmed Reduction curve in a range from about 600° F. to about 730° F.

A reforming process comprising:

• (i) contacting a supported catalyst with a reducing gas stream to produce an activated aromatization catalyst, wherein the supported catalyst comprises:
• a bound zeolite base, wherein the bound zeolite base comprises a binder and a large pore zeolite having an average pore diameter in a range of from about 7 Å to about 12 Å;
• from about 0.7 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % of platinum, based on the total weight of the supported catalyst;
• from about 2 wt. % to about 3.3 wt. % of chlorine, based on the total weight of the supported catalyst;
• and
• from about 0.5 wt. % to about 1.3 wt. % of fluorine, based on the total weight of the supported catalyst;
• wherein the supported catalyst is characterized by a peak reduction temperature on a Temperature Programmed Reduction curve in a range from about 600° F. to about 720° F.;
• and
• (ii) contacting a hydrocarbon feed with the activated aromatization catalyst under reforming conditions in a reactor system to produce an aromatic product.