Cationic layered materials, a process for their preparation and their use in hydrocarbon conversion, purification, and synthesis processes, such as fluid catalytic cracking. Cationic layered materials are especially suitable for the reduction of SOx and NOx emissions and the reduction of the sulfur and nitrogen content in fuels like gasoline and diesel. The new preparation process avoids the use of metal salts and does not require the formation of anionic clay as an intermediate.