Aromatization of aliphatics over a zeolite containing framework gallium

In a process for producing aromatic compounds from aliphatic hydrocarbons under conditions effective to produce aromatic product, methane and ethane, the improvement which comprises in combination contacting under said conditions, a feed containing at least 50 weight percent of C.sub.3 to C.sub.12 aliphatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst comprising a crystalline zeolite characterized by a Constraint Index within the approximate range of 1 to 12 and a silica to alumina ratio of at least 550 and gallium, the weight of added gallium in said catalyst being between about 0.5 to about 10 percent based on the total weight of catalyst wherein at least 0.5% of said gallium is inserted into the framework of said zeolite under alkaline conditions, whereby aliphatic hydrocarbons present in said feed are converted to aromatic compounds;

• and thereby increasing the selectivity of the process for said aromatic compounds and decreasing its selectivity for methane and ethane production.

A process for producing aromatic compounds which comprises contacting under conversion conditions effective to convert aliphatic hydrocarbons to said aromatic compounds, a feed containing at least 50 weight percent of C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 aliphatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst comprising a crystalline zeolite characterized by a Constraint Index within the approximate range of 1 to 12 and containing 1 to 10 wt. % gallium, wherein the catalyst contains about 0.5 to 5 wt.% of said zeolitic gallium, wherein the catalyst is prepared by inserting said gallium into the crystal framework of a preformed zeolite in the liquid phase under alkaline conditions, whereby aliphatic hydrocarbons present in said feed are converted to aromatic compounds, and recovering said aromatic compounds.