Process for methylating naphthalene

Broadly, the present invention is directed to a process for preparing 1-methylnaphthalene and 2-methylnaphthalene wherein the process comprises reacting naphthalene and methanol in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures and optionally under pressure in the presence of an effective amount of activated alumina catalyst. In a preferred embodiment the invention is directed to a process for preparing 2-methylnaphthalene in high selectivity by reacting naphthalene and methanol in the vapor phase at elevated temperatures in the range of about 500 DEG to about 650 DEG C. in the presence of an effective amount of activated alumina catalyst.