TS-1 zeolite with high Ti loading was successfully synthesized from low-cost and moisture-stable precursors, titanium glycolate and silatrane, using microwave heating. The effect of composition, viz. tetrapropylammonium ion (TPA(+)), NaOH, H2O, and reaction conditions, viz. aging time, reaction temperature, and reaction time, was studied. The Si:Ti mole ratios were varied from 100.00 to 5.00 and the extent to which Ti is incorporated into the zeolite framework was evaluated. The TS-1 samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, S.E.M. and DR-UV, and confirmed the fingerprint of MFI type zeolite. A small amount of extra-framework titanium dioxide was also identified at a Si:Ti mole ratio of 5.0. Photocatalytic decomposition of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) was used to test the catalytic activity of the TS-1 samples. All samples showed high catalytic efficiency, which increased with Ti loading. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.