A commercial zeolite L was subjected to chemical etching with aqueous solutions of NH 4 F and NH 4 HF 2 to generate secondary porosity. The derived samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N 2 adsorption, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, 27 Al MAS NMR, thermogravimetric analysis, and their acid sites were quantified by FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed basic probe molecules. The catalytic properties of the pristine and modified zeolites were evaluated in the dealkylation of 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene. Tuning the etching conditions allowed us to generate hierarchical zeolites without losing micropore volume. Furthermore, both fluoride etchants did not change the acid properties of the zeolite substantially, which is confirmed by chemical composition anlysis (ICP-AES) and by FTIR spectroscopy of pyridine. The dissolution rate of zeolite L was much faster with NH 4 HF 2 than NH 4 F. The set of experimental data shows that the 1 wt % NH 4 HF 2 solution is an efficient etchant able to generate mesopores without affecting the parent zeolite properties as lower amounts of fluoride source are required than with concentrated (20-40 wt %) NH 4 F solutions. Received: ((will be filled in by the editorial staff)) Revised: ((will be filled in by the editorial staff)) Published online: ((will be filled in by the editorial staff))