This disclosure relates to a process for preparing a catalyst composition comprising (a) contacting a molecular sieve composition with a solution of a solvent and a solute under ion-exchange conditions to form an exchanged molecular sieve composition, wherein the solute comprises at least one of an amide compound, an imide compound, a strong proton donor, or any combination thereof, the solute has a solubility in the solvent of at least 0.05 g per 100 grams of the solvent, preferably at least 1 gram per 100 grams of the solvent; and (b) separating the exchanged molecular sieve from the mixture of the step (a).