Gas-phase alkylation of meta-cresol, 2,5-xylenol and 2,3-xylenol by methanol over a catalyst containing iron oxide as the main component was studied. The reactions were carried out in a continuous process at atmospheric pressure in the temperature range of 573-663 K. The yield of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol increases in the series: meta-cresol < 2,3-xylenol < 2,5- xylenol. In the case of 2, 5- xylenol, the yield of 2,3,6-trimethylphenol reached over 99% in the temperature range of 635-650 K.