Abstract: A catalyst for dealkylating alkyl benzenes and fractions of aromatized benzines by means of steam conversion is disclosed. The catalyst comprises rhodium or rhodium in a mixture with another noble metal from Group VIII of the Periodic System in an amount of 0.1 to 2 wt. % on a carrier of aluminum oxide and also at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium or lead in an amount of 0.003 to 3 wt. %. To increase the yield of the final product, the catalyst also comprises at least one element selected from the group containing iron, cobalt, nickel, chrome, copper, and vanadium in an amount of 0.01 to 5 wt. %, and at least one of the elements of the alkaline or alkaline earth metals or mixtures thereof in an amount of 0.01 to 5 wt. %.The proposed catalyst features a high degree of selectivity for dealkylating alkyl benzenes in combination with a high degree of starting feed conversion.

Abstract: A method of preparing benzene and xylenes from catalysates of reforming of gasoline fractions comprising a mixture of aromatic C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbons and non-aromatic hydrocarbons which involves separation of a low-boiling fraction boiling out at a temperature of 90.degree.-108.degree. C. from a reforming catalysate by rectification. The remaining high-boiling fraction is processed in the presence of a hydrogen-containing gas at a temperature within the range of from 450.degree. to 600.degree. C. under a pressure of from 10 to 60 atm on a catalyst. The catalyst consists of 1 to 85% by weight of H-mordenite, 0.1 to 10% by weight of a hydrogenating component as which use might be made of oxides of metals of Group VI of the periodic system, sulphides of these metals, metals of Group VIII of the periodic system, sulphides thereof; the balance being a binder.