Abstract: A process for hydrodealkylating alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., toluene, by reaction with hydrogen in the absence of water vapor under relatively mild reaction conditions, and a catalyst therefor are disclosed. The process is effected at a temperature of from about 450.degree. and 650.degree. C., preferably from about 520.degree. to 620.degree. C., and pressures of from about 1 to about 30, preferably from about 5 to about 20 bar, and a liquid hourly space velocity of from about 1 to about 10, preferably from about 3 to about 8, in the presence of a catalyst which comprises a metal combination of rhodium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, cobalt, iron, and zinc, and a support comprising activated alumina having a specific surface of between about 100 and about 350 m.sup.2 /g and a total pore volume of from about 0.5 to about 0.8 cm.sup.3 /g.