The calcination of H-mordenite or H-ZSM-5 mixtures with CuO results in the migration of copper(II) ions into zeolite channels. The Cu 2+-ions which migrate from the outer surface of zeolite crystals are coordinated in the same positions as Cu 2+-cations introduced by ion-exchange. The majority of Cu(II) is located in H-ZSM-5 channels as isolated, coordinatively unsaturated, covalent-bonded Cu 2+-cations. The coordinative unsaturation of Cu 2+-ions is confirmed by the strong influence of O 2 adsorption on hyper-fine splitting (hfs) of e.s.r. spectra. The quantity of Cu 2+-cations which may be introduced in H-ZSM-5 by the solid state reaction is related linearly to the Al 3+ content in the zeolite lattice. The interaction of H-ZSM-5 with CuCl 2, CuF 2, Cu 3(PO 4) 2 or Cu 2S results in the migration of Cu(II) or Cu(I) ions in cationic positions of zeolite. So, the thermal stability of high-silica zeolite frameworks allows the introduction of some polyvalent ions in cationic positions by the solid state reaction.