PROCESS FOR THE SELECTIVE CATALYTIC HYDRODEALKYLATION OF ALKYLAROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

Process for the catalytic hydrodealkylation alone of hydrocarbon compositions comprising C8-C13 alkylaromatic compounds, optionally in a mixture with C4-C9 aliphatic and cycloaliphatic products, including the treatment in continuous of said hydrocarbon compositions, in the presence of water, with a catalyst consisting of a ZSM-5 zeolite as such or in bound form, wherein the molar ratio Si/Al in the ZSM-5 ranges from 5 to 35, modified with at least one metal selected from those belonging to groups IIB, VIB and VIII, at a temperature ranging from 400 to 700° C., a pressure of between 2 and 4 MPa, a molar ratio between water and the charge in the feed to the reactor ranging from 0.0006 to 0.16 (i.e. between 0.01 and 2.5% w/w) and a molar ratio H2/charge of between 3 and 6.