Selective ethylbenzene conversion

A process for isomerizing xylenes in a feed comprising ethylbenzene and xylenes, comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting the feed under ethylbenzene conversion conditions with a first bed of a first catalyst comprising an intermediate pore size zeolite having a constraint index ranging from 1 to 12 and a silica to alumina ratio of at least about 5, said intermediate pore size zeolite having been modified by being exposed to at least one selectivation sequence that comprises the steps of contacting the zeolite with a organosilicon selectivating agent to obtain a selectivated zeolite and subsequently calcining the selectivated zeolite, to form an ethylbenzene depleted product;
• and
• (b) contacting the ethylbenzene depleted product under xylene isomerization conditions with a second bed of a second catalyst comprising an intermediate pore size zeolite, wherein the second catalyst requires less than 50 minutes to sorb ortho-xylene in an amount equal to 30% of the equilibrium sorption capacity for xylenes at 120.degree. C. and at a xylene partial pressure of 4.5.+-.0.8 mm of mercury.