Abstract: “Chemical grade” ethyl benzene is synthesized by the alkylation of the benzene which is contained in the reformate stream of a refinery with the ethylene in FCC (fluid catalytic cracker) off gas. The reformate stream is not hydrogenated prior to the alkylation. The alkylation reaction takes place in a fixed bed of particulate catalyst. The catalyst is preferably a zeolite, especially zeolite beta. The preferred reactor is a catalytic distillation reactor. The process of this invention allows (but does not require) the reformer to be operated under severe conditions (which produces high octane gasoline components but which also lead to high benzene concentrations in the reformate), yet still meet environmental regulations on gasoline (because the process removes substantially all of the benzene from the gasoline). The ethyl benzene is removed from the reformate stream and may be used for the production of styrene.