Alkylated napthalene blendstocks and processes for producing the same

A process for making an alkylated naphthalene (AN) blendstock comprising the steps of:

• mixing an acid-form MWW-type catalyst, naphthalene, and a solvent to provide a reaction mixture, wherein the acid-form MWW-type catalyst has an average particle distribution between 55 μm and 85 μm, a surface area between 475 and 600 m2/g, and a total acidity of between 0.80 and 1.0 meq/g TPAD;
• increasing the temperature of the reaction mixture;
• and
• adding linear alpha olefins to the reaction mixture to produce the AN blendstock comprising an isomer ratio of less than 45 wt % mono alkylated naphthalene and greater than 55 wt % multi-alkylated naphthalene, wherein the linear alpha olefins comprise LAO14 or LAO16.