The high silica zeolite beta has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, thermal analyses, temperature programmed desorption of ammonia and Si-29 and Al-27 MAS NMR. Alkylation of benzene with isobutanol gave a mixture of secondary butyl benzene and isobutyl benzene instead of tertiary butyl benzene which is usually obtained. A comparison has been made with the results obtained on other acidic molecular sieves and it has been concluded that the unusual alkylation may be due to the peculiar pore structure of the zeolite beta.