A two dimensional zeolite with the topology of MWW sheets has been obtained by direct synthesis with a combination of two organic structure directing agents. The resultant material is formed in about 70% by single and double layers with a well structured external surface area of about 300 m2·g-1. The delaminated zeolite prepared by means of this single step synthesis route presents not only a high delamination degree, but a well preserved structural integrity of the MWW layers. It presents an excellent activity, selectivity and catalyst life for alkylation of benzene with propylene, being better than catalysts used today for producing cumene.The importance of zeolites as adsorbents and heterogeneous catalysts is well recognized [1]. When used as catalysts, the microporous structure of these crystalline solids confers the reactants a confined environment that, besides pre-activating the molecules, may direct the reaction towards the formation of the desired products by stabilizing the reaction transition states. However, the narrow pore dimensions of most of the zeolites, in the range of 4 to 7 Å, limit their use to processes involving relatively small molecules. Many efforts have been directed to increase the accessibility to the active sites, and to reduce the diffusional problems of bulkier reactants while preserving a degree of confinement. Traditionally, the accessibility to the active sites has been increased by means of post-synthesis methods that combine acid and hydrothermal treatments, such as in ultra-stabilized Y based catalysts for FCC [2] or mordenite based catalysts for hydroisomerization [1,3], or by combining acid and basic treatments [4]. These top-down procedures are effective but enclose several steps and, depending on the conditions employed, may result in crystallinity and micropore volume loss. Addition of soft or hard templates to the synthesis gel has also been described as a possible route to obtain hierarchical zeolites presenting micro and mesoporosity [4b, 5]. Direct synthesis of single layers of ZSM-5 was achieved by using diquaternary ammonium surfactants and tetraalkylphosphonium as directing agents (OSDA) [6]. The use of these type of OSDAs has also allowed the synthesis of other micro-mesoporous zeolites, with structural mesoporosity [7] or intercrystalline mesoporosity due to small crystallite size [8].A different approach for increasing zeolite's accessibility was described in the middle 1990's, and consisted in the delamination of layered zeolite precursors. The concept was proved to be applicable to different structures, and new delaminated zeolites ITQ-2 [9], [10], were prepared starting from MCM-22(P), PRE-FER, NU-6(1), and ITQ-19, respectively [13]. The resultant zeolitic materials showed very high accessible surface areas and interesting catalytic properties for a large number of reactions [14]. The first of those delaminated zeolites described, ITQ-2, is formed by disordered MWW layers in a "house of
