Pore narrowing of ZSM-5 was carried out by phosphate modification technique and shape selectivity was evaluated for alkylation, disproportionation reactions and competitive reaction of ethylbenzene and meta-xylene. Catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, MAS NMR, NH3-TPD, PZC etc. Post synthesis modification of ZSM-5 by phosphate treatment generated new kinds of acid sites with pore narrowing. Even though there was a change in acid site strength, these active sites efficiently catalyzed toluene alkylation with methanol, ethylbenzene alkylation with ethanol and disproportionation of ethylbenzene. These active sites formed monolayer islands over catalyst surface and narrowed the pore opening resulting in high para-selectivity. Decrease in pore volume by phosphate modification has a direct correlation with increase in shape selectivity. Constraint index for modified catalysts obtained from competitive reaction of ethylbenzene and m-xylene was used to determine extent of pore narrowing by phosphate modification. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.