Abstract: In a process for dealkylating a hydrocarbon material containing at least one alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon having bonded to the aromatic ring at least one alkyl group with at least 2 carbon atoms in the gaseous phase in the presence of hydrogen using a hydro-dealkylation catalyst, the improvement wherein (a) said hydro-dealkylation catalyst is composed of a crystalline aluminosilicate having a silica/alumina mole ratio of from 20 to 200 and containing a noble metal selected from platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium, and (b) said dealkylation is carried out at a temperature of 250.degree. C. to 420.degree. C. and a pressure of not more than 100 psig, thereby selectively removing said alkyl group containing at least 2 carbon atoms from said alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon.