By using an improved method of infrared mass spectrometry/temperature-programmed desorption (IRMS-TPD) of ammonia, the number and strength of Bronsted acid sites on various zeolites were precisely measured. Using this method, it is possible to measure the property of acid site directly and individually when the multiply overlapped acid sites exist. Thus, measured Delta H (enthalpy change of ammonia adsorption) as a parameter of strength was roughly correlated with the IR band position of hydroxide, as long as the OH was located in a large pore consisting of an 8- to 12-member ring; that is, the lower the wave number of the OH band position, the stronger the A H. Under the conditions of monomolecular reaction, the rate of octane cracking was measured on these zeolites, and the turnover frequency (TOF) was calculated from the reaction rate and number of Bronsted acid sites. Among the distributed acid sites, the Bronsted acid site with the stronger acidity located in a large pore was considered the active site. Thus measured TOF was related strongly with the Delta H of the Bronsted acid sites. Therefore, it is concluded that the Bronsted acid sites play a predominant role in the cracking of hydrocarbons. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.