By using isopropanol as alkylating agent in the direct alkylation of benzene to cumene, under properly selected conditions, performances comparable to those afforded by the current industrial use of propylene have been obtained. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a p-zeolite-based catalyst. Catalytic performances are influenced by temperature and pressure at fixed benzene to isopropanol molar ratio. In particular, catalyst activity and catalyst deactivation rate depend on the water content in the liquid phase fraction of the reaction mixture, as predicted by state equations for LV equilibria in the reacting system. The successful use of isopropanol as alkylating agent has paved the road toward a viable acetone recycle in phenol production, as foreseeable in case of acetone/phenol unbalanced demand. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.