Alkylaromatics production using dilute alkene

A process for producing an alkylated aromatic compound in a reactor having a plurality of reaction zones including a first reaction zone and a second reaction zone, said process comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing a first feedstock and a second feedstock to said first reaction zone, wherein said first feedstock comprises an alkylatable aromatic compound(s), wherein said second feedstock comprises an alkene and at least 1 wt. % alkane;
• (b) contacting said first feedstock and said second feedstock with a first catalyst in said first reaction zone to produce a first effluent, said first reaction zone being maintained under conditions such that said first reaction zone is predominately liquid phase, wherein at least 90 mole percent the alkene present in said first feedstock is converted and said first effluent comprises an alkylated aromatic compound and alkane;
• (c) cooling said first effluent without separation of said alkane from said first effluent;
• (d) supplying at least a portion of said cooled first effluent and a third feedstock to said second reaction zone, wherein said third feedstock comprises an alkene only;
• and
• (e) contacting said at least a portion of said cooled first effluent and said third feedstock with a second catalyst in said second reaction zone to produce a second effluent, said second reaction zone being maintained under conditions such that said second reaction zone is in a predominately liquid phase;
• wherein said the reactor is operated to achieve essentially complete conversion of the alkene.