Binder free HFAU-Y was exchanged with various rare earth metals such as cerium, lanthanum, and mixed rare earths (named as HRE-Y), in order to improve the textural, structural, catalytic properties, and stability towards vigorous reaction conditions. These as-exchanged zeolites have been effectively employed for the alkylation of benzene with 1-octene. All the systems perpetually show greater selectivity towards the most desired 2-phenyloctane.