Synthesis method of multi-stage pore zeolite for catalytic cracking

The present invention provides zirconium-substituted multi-stage pore zeolite compositions and methods of making such catalytic compositions. One such method includes subjecting a zirconium-substituted zeolite to a framework modification process using a single templating agent to produce a framework-modified zeolite, followed by an ion exchange process on the framework-modified zeolite to produce a multi-stage pore zeolite composition. The invention also provides methods for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks using these zirconium-substituted multi-stage pore zeolite compositions.