Alkylation of benzene compounds with detergent range olefins

A process for alkylating benzene and lower alkyl-substituted benzenes with a detergent range olefin having a carbon number ranging from about 8 to about 22 which comprises contacting said benzene or lower alkyl-substituted benzene with said olefin in the presence of a catalyst comprising tungsten oxide supported on a porous silica-alumina support which support contains from about 70 to about 90% by weight of silica wherein said catalyst is prepared by impregnating the support with an aqueous solution of a tungsten salt, calcining the impregnated support in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature ranging from up to about 600.degree. C. up to about 800.degree. C. and subsequently activating the catalyst in a neutral or reducing gaseous atmosphere at a temperature ranging from up to about 200.degree. C. up to about 350.degree. C.