Acid-activated and pillared montmorillonite were prepared as novel catalysts for alkylation of benzene with 1-decene for production of linear alkylbenzene. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, N-2 adsorption isotherms, temperature programmed desorption of NH3, scanning electron microscopy and elemental and thermal analysis techniques. It was found that acid-activation of clays prior to pillaring increased the porosity, total specific surface area, total pore volume and surface acidity of the catalysts. Optimization of the reaction conditions was performed by varying catalyst concentration (0.25-1.75 wt%), reactants ratio (benzene to 1-decene of 8.75, 12 and 15) and temperature (115-145 degrees C) in a batch slurry reactor. Under optimized conditions more than 98% conversion of 1-decene, and complete selectivity for monoalkylbenzenes were achieved. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.