Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalytic process for the alkylation of benzene or substituted benzene with alkyl halides for the continuous production of diarylalkanes or substituted derivatives thereof using ethylaluminum dichloride or methylaluminum dichloride as an organoaluminum dichloride catalyst. A process and apparatus are provided for reacting either benzene (or a substituted benzene compound) together with either an alkyl halide or an aromatic halide.

Abstract: A process of preparing ethylbenzene from ethane and benzene as raw materials. The process involves (1) contacting ethane in a dehydrogenation zone with a dehydrogenation catalyst, namely, a mordenite zeolite, optionally, containing a metallic component selected from gallium, zinc, and the platinum group metals under reaction conditions which yield a dilute ethylene stream in ethane. Thereafter, the ethylene stream with essentially no further purification or separation is contacted in an alkylation zone with benzene in the presence of an alkylation catalyst, such as an acidic zeolite or a porous magnesium silicate, under reaction conditions such that ethylbenzene is formed.