Detergent alkylation using a regenerable clay catalyst

A process for the alkylation of benzene comprising:

• a) reacting under alkylating conditions benzene with one or more linear monoolefins in a feedstock containing at least one linear monoolefin, said alkylating conditions including reacting from about 5 to about 30 molar proportions of total benzene for each molar proportion of total linear monoolefins at a temperature from about 80.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. and a pressure from about 200 to about 1000 psig, in the presence of a tetrahedrally charged clay as catalyst to obtain alkylated benzenes with an initial conversion of at least 98% of said monoolefins;
• b) continuing reacting benzene and said monoolefins under alkylating conditions until, as a consequence of catalyst deactivation, conversion of said monoolefins decreases to no less than about 80% conversion;
• c) reactivating the deactivated catalyst by heating the catalyst with from about 10 to about 75 volumes of benzene at a temperature from about 100.degree. to about 250.degree. C. for a time sufficient to afford a reactivated catalyst whose activity is sufficient to effect at least 98% conversion of said monoolefins in their reaction with benzene;
• and
• d) repeating stage a).