Process for the production of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene from petrochemical streams

A process for the preparation of 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene comprising reacting in a synthesis reaction with at least one aromatic hydrocarbon, in the presence of a zeolitic catalyst, a mixture of naphthalenes comprising a cut obtained by the fractionation of a petrochemical stream comprising a mixture of naphthalenes and the subsequent pretreatment of the cut thus obtained with a solid acid by contacting the cut with the solid acid before being fed to the synthesis reaction.