The benzylation of benzene by benzyl chloride to diphenylmethane over FeCl3, InCl3, GaCl3, ZnCl2, CuCl2 and NiCl2 supported on mesoporous SBA-15 at 353 K has been investigated. The redox property due to the impregnation of the SBA-15 by transition metal chloride seems to play a very important role in the benzene benzylation process. Among the catalysts, the FeCl3/SBA-15 showed both high conversation and high selectivity for the benzylation of benzene. The activity of these catalysts for the benzylation of different aromatic compounds is in the following order: benzene > toluene > p-xylene > anisole. More interesting is the observation that this catalyst is always active and selective for large molecules like naphthenic compounds such as methoxynaphthalene and he can also be reused in the benzylation of benzene for several times. Kinetics of the benzene benzylation over these catalysts have also been investigated. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.