The specifics of the deactivation of acid and Zn-containing MFI catalysts in the propane aromatization reaction at high-feed space velocities (600-2400 h(-1)) and temperatures (550-610 degrees C) was studied. The kinetics of the buildup of carbonaceous products (coke) was investigated in situ during the catalytic reaction in a thermal analyzer coupled to a mass spectrometer and a gas chromatograph (TA-MS-GC). The nature of the coke was studied by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and elemental analysis. It was found that the buildup of heavy coke on the H-MFI zeolite takes place on the outer crystal surface and pore openings, thus leading to a decrease in the propane conversion at the beginning of the reaction. In contrast, light coke appears first and is transformed to heavy coke at later stages on Zn/H-MFI. The light coke leads to a decrease in the yield of methane, ethane, and ethylene, and the heavy coke impedes the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons.