In an embodiment a catalyst comprises a medium or large pore zeolite having germanium incorporated into the zeolite framework. The zeolite can have a pore structure that is one dimensional, two dimensional or three dimensional. A metal selected from Group 10 can be deposited on the zeolite. In an embodiment, a process for synthesizing the zeolite comprises preparing a medium pore zeolite containing germanium in the framework of the zeolite and calcining the zeolite. In an embodiment, the catalyst can be used in a process for the conversion of hydrocarbons comprising contacting a hydrocarbon stream containing alkanes, olefins, or mixtures thereof having 2 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule with the catalyst and recovering the product.