Process for selectivating catalyst for producing paraxylene by methylation of benzene and/or toluene

A process for producing paraxylene, the process comprising:

• (a) selectivating an alkylation catalyst consisting essentially of MCM-49 and alumina binder by contacting the alkylation catalyst with a selectivating agent selected from the group consisting of silicon, steam, and a combination of silicon and steam;
• (b) contacting an aromatic hydrocarbon feed comprising benzene and/or toluene with an alkylating reagent comprising methanol and/or dimethyl ether in at least one alkylation reaction zone in the presence of the alkylation catalyst under alkylation conditions comprising a temperature less than 500° C. to produce an alkylated aromatic product comprising xylenes;
• wherein the molar ratio of the alkylating reagent to benzene and/or toluene of at least 1:4 is used at least until the amount of paraxylene as a percentage of the total xylenes produced is equal to or greater than 23 wt. %;
• and
• (b) recovering paraxylene from the alkylated aromatic product.