Abstract: A process and catalyst for the orthomethylation of phenols having at least one free ortho position, wherein the phenols are reacted with methanol in a molar ratio of about 1:1 to 1:10 at about 270.degree.-340.degree. C. in the gaseous phase under a pressure of about 1-4 bar absolute and with rates per unit volume (LHSV) of about 0.05-3 h.sup.-1 in the presence of an iron oxide catalyst. This catalyst consists essentially of (a) iron oxide, (b) molybdenum oxide or tungsten oxide and (c) one or several oxides of the elements magnesium, calcium, barium, lanthanum, cerium or manganese in a metal-atomic ratio of about (a):(b):(c):of 100:0.2-10:0.2-10.