Zeolite-y and catalyst comprising zeolite-y

A method of preparing a modified zeolite-Y having a micropore volume greater than 0.18 ml/g as described by the method of ASTM D4365-19, a mesopore volume greater than 0.35 ml/g as obtained by subtracting the micropore volume from the pore volume as obtained by the method of ASTM D4365-19, a total surface area greater than 600 m2/g as measured by the BET adsorption method of ASTM D4365-19 starting from a starting zeolite Y, wherein the starting zeolite-Y has a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of greater than 15 mol/mol as measured using X-ray fluorescence, a unit cell size smaller than 24.40 Å as measured by X-ray diffraction as described by the method of ASTM D3942-19, a micropore volume greater than 0.18 ml/g, a mesopore volume smaller than 0.30 ml/g and a total surface area of between 500 and 1030 m2/g, the method comprising the following steps:

• (a) gradually contacting a solid base or a base solution with the starting zeolite Y to obtain an intermediate alkaline-treated zeolite Y,
• (b) contacting the intermediate alkaline-treated zeolite Y with an acid to obtain the modified zeolite Y and
• (c) calcination at a temperature of at least 500° C. of the intermediate alkaline-treated zeolite Y obtained in step (a) prior to performing step (b) or calcination at a temperature of at least 500° C. of the modified zeolite Y obtained in step (b) as such or as shaped with a binder and wherein in step (a) a protective agent is present in the base solution and/or with the starting zeolite Y and wherein said protective agent comprises:
• i) a quaternary ammonium cation, of which the longest carbon chain consists of at most 6 carbon atoms, and/or
• ii) an alkylamine, of which the longest carbon chain consists of at most carbon 4 atoms.