| abstract |
A method that efficiently produces an alkylbenzene with a high added value from a 1.5-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon while suppressing excessive hydrocracking and nuclear hydrogenation, and preventing a decrease in catalytic activity due to deposition of carbon during a hydrocracking reaction, and a catalyst used therefor, are disclosed. A method of producing an alkylbenzene includes causing a hydrocarbon oil feedstock containing an alkylbenzene content of less than 20 vol %, a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of less than 30 vol %, and a 1.5-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbon content of 25 vol % or more to come in contact with a hydrocracking catalyst that includes a solid acid having a maximum acid strength of Brönsted acid of 110 kJ/mol or more and less than 140 kJ/mol. |