The present invention provides an oxide material having in its calcined form an X-ray diffraction pattern including values substantially as set forth in Table (I) and an adsorption capacity for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene at a temperature of 42 DEG C and a pressure of 173.3 Pa (1.3 torr) of at least 0.50 mmol/g; a process for its preparation; a catalyst composition containing it; and use of the catalyst composition in a process for catalytically cracking a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock.
1. A non-pillared oxide material having an adsorption capacity for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene at a temperature of 42 °C and a pressure of 173.3 Pa (1.3 torr) of least 0.50 mmol/g, obtainable by a process which comprises, prior to calcination, at least partially delaminating a swollen layered oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including values substantially as set forth in Table II below: Table II > 32.2 vs 12.41 ± 0.25 w-s 3.44 ± 0.07 w-s 2. A process for the preparation of an oxide material having an adsorption capacity for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene at a temperature of 42 °C and a pressure of 173.3 Pa (1.3 torr) of least 0.50 mmol/g, which comprises, prior to calcination, at least partially delaminating a swollen, layered oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including values substantially as set forth in Table II below: Table II > 32.2 vs 12.41 ± 0.25 w-s 3.44 ± 0.07 w-s 3. A process according to claim 2, wherein the swollen, layered oxide material is at least partially delaminated using ultrasound techniques. 4. A process according to claim 2 or claim 3, which also comprises an acid treatment step after the delamination step. 5. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 4, which also comprises a post-calcination hydrothermal treatment step. 6. A process according to any one of claims 2 to 5, which also comprises a post-calcination fluorine and/or phosphorus treatment step. 7. A catalyst composition comprising an oxide material as claimed in claim 1, and a matrix material. 8. A catalyst composition according to claim 7, wherein the matrix material is a refractory oxide. 9. A process for catalytically cracking a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock which comprises contacting the feedstock at elevated temperature with a catalyst composition according to claim 7 or claim 8.