Tetrapropylammonium salt was replaced with different wastes from the production of caprolactam as structural units in synthesizing ZSM-5 zeolites. Ethanol conversion runs were carried out over the synthesized catalysts containing spirit fraction, X-oils and hexamethylenediammine as structural units. The catalyst with hexamethylenediammine showed better selectivity for liquid hydrocarbons and the formation of C-3-C-4 hydrocarbons was favoured by increase in the Si/Al from 30 to 50. Mechanical addition of gallium oxide increased liquid yield and catalyst life whereas impregnation of zirconium oxide resulted in a loss of selectivity for liquid hydrocarbons. Better selectivity for liquid hydrocarbons was obtained over catalysts with an average of 1 and 3 atoms of aluminum in elementary zeolite cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.