Degussa P25 TiO2 was evaluated as a catalyst for vapour phase methylation of phenol. It gave an optimum conversion of 32% at 450degreesC and formed predominantly the ortho-, para- and meta-cresols. The activity selectivity profiles are discussed in terms of the acid-base properties of the catalyst and the BET surface areas. A new mechanism is proposed to explain the observed product selectivity. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.