The vapour phase acetylation of toluene has been catalysed by acidic H-ZSM-5, H-mordenite and REY zeolite catalysts at 453 K in a tubular reactor at atmospheric pressure. H-ZSM-5 exhibited the best results during the reaction with respect to rate of acetylchloride conversion (TOF = 7.5 mols(-1) mol(-1) Al x 10(-4)), conversion of acetyl chloride (60.2 wt.%) and selectivity for 4-methylacetophenone (88.3%) compared to both H-mordenite and REY zeolites. It is revealed that the activity and selectivity of the catalyst strongly depend on the acidic properties and pore openings of the zeolites, respectively. It is observed that isomer ratio (4-methylacetophenone/2-methylacetophenone) is influenced by the reaction conditions and type of zeolite used in the reaction. With increasing reaction temperature and toluene to CH3COCl molar ratio, the conversion of CH3 COCl (ACT) increases, while it decreases with the increase in reaction time, weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), Na-content and silica to alumina molar ratio of H-ZSM-5 in the acetylation of toluene. H-ZSM-5 is deactivated under the reaction conditions.