Alkylation of phenol with cyclohexene as an alkylating agent was carried out in liquid phase by varying different parameters such as temperature, time, mole ratio of phenol to cyclohexene and amount of the catalyst over 30% 12-tungstosilicicacid supported onto hydrous zirconia and neutral alumina. The present catalysts show high activity towards the %conversion and %selectivity, especially for 2-cyclohexyl phenol, an important product used as intermediate in dyestuff preparation as well as in preparation of 2-phenyl phenol which is used as disinfectant and fungicides. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.