The solid-state ion exchange between hydrated 13X and alkaline metal salt was studied. The surface area, the pore volume and the catalytic performance of the as-exchanged samples were measured and compared with those of the samples obtained by conventional exchange. XRD patterns of the exchanged samples show that the exchange reaction can occur at ambient temperature. Compared with K^+ ion, the bulky Cs^+ ion is more difficult to replace Na^+ ion. The calcination at a higher temperature favours to increase the exchange degree of Cs^+- exchanged sample. The surface area, the pore volume and the activity of isopropanol decomposition reaction are only a function of exchange degree and are not affected by the exchange methods. Cs^+-exchanged samples possess higher local basicities in surpercages and dehydrogenation activities than K^+-exchanged samples with the same δ ~O^- value.

Key words: CATALYTIC BEHAVIOUR, ION EXCHANGING, SOLID PHASES, DECOMPOSITION REACTION, ISOPROPANOL