The most recent developments in the formation of new mesoporous templated zeolitic materials, characterized by surfaces of more than 1000 m(2)/g, are discussed in this paper. By adapting the synthesis parameters, such as type of silicium source, type of template, pH, temperature,... different materials can be synthesized with varying porosity and crystallinity. Besides the synthesis, much attention is focused on the activation of their surfaces by incorporation methods or deposition processes towards catalytic applications. Finally, the stability of the different materials, one of the critical parameters to potential industrial applications, is compared and evaluated. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.