Preparation of molecular sieve containing catalyst and its use in the production of alkylaromatic hydrocarbons

A method is described for preparing a molecular sieve-containing catalyst for use in a catalytic process conducted in a stirred tank reactor. The method comprises providing a mixture comprising a molecular sieve crystal and forming the mixture into catalyst particles having an average cross-sectional dimension of between about 0.01 mm and about 3.0 mm. The mixture may include a binder and the catalyst particles are then calcined to remove water therefrom and, after calcination and prior to loading the catalyst particles into a reactor for conducting the catalytic process, the catalyst particles are coated with a paraffin inert to the conditions employed in the catalytic process.