CATALYTIC COMPOSITION AND PROCESS USING IT FOR THE ALKYLATION OF AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS WITH ALCOHOLS, OR MIXTURES OF ALCOHOLS AND OLEFINS

The invention relates to a new catalytic composition for the alkylation of aromatic compounds with alcohols, or mixtures of alcohols and corresponding olefins, wherein said composition comprises a zeolite of the MTW type and is characterized in that it contains one or more alkaline metals in a total quantity which is less than or equal to 0.02% by weight. The use of said catalyst in the alkylation of aromatic compounds with alcohols, in particular benzene with isopropanol or ethanol, allows the formation, as by-product, of the aldehyde or ketone corresponding to the alcohol used, to be minimized: the formation of reaction by-products of said aldehydes or ketones having a boiling point very close to that of polyalkylation products, is therefore significantly reduced. This provides a considerable advantage in the subsequent transalkylation step for the recovery of said polyalkylates by transformation into the corresponding monoalkylates.