A porous material comprises oxides of silicon and aluminum and is substantially free of X-ray diffraction peaks in its calcined form. The material is characterized by the following properties: (a) a Bronsted acid site density as measured by temperature programmed ammonia adsorption of at least 0.005 mmol/g; (b) an alpha value of at least 0.5; (c) a specific surface area of about 50 to about 160 m2 g−1; (d) a total pore volume of about 0.14 to about 1.0 cm3 g−1; and (d) a micropore volume of about 0.001 to about 0.015 cm3 g−1.