The effect of treatment with a zirconyl nitrate aqueous solution on the structure; the hydroxyl-layer constitution. and the adsorptive, acid, and catalytic properties of dealuminated zeolite Y was studied. The zeolite was prepared by boiling NH4Y in an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt solution followed by ion exchange with ammonium chloride and calcination in a 100% steam flow at 750 degrees C. X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and DTA data show the formation of an ultrastable form of zeolite Y. The incorporation of zirconium in zeolite led to an increase in the proportion of strong acid sites, thus raising the yield of cracking products during n-hexane conversion tested on platinum-containing catalyst samples.