Abstract: Production of bis-(alpha-alkylbenzyl)ethers or substituted derivatives thereof by reaction at elevated temperature of the corresponding alpha alkylbenzyl alcohols in the presence of an aryl sulfonic acid treated calcined alumina catalyst, quenching the catalyst with a basic compound and recovery of the desired ether by distillation following separation of the quenched catalyst, is disclosed. The alkyl methylbenzyl alcohol may be present as a component of an aromatic rich distilled product mixture derived from the ethyl benzene hydroperoxide epoxidation of an olefinically unsaturated compound.