The production of a more environmentally friendly gasoline by removing substantial portions of benzene by alkylation with propylene was studied. One step experiments were performed with a real feedstock (20 wt% benzene) varying temperatures (120, 180, 220 and 320 degrees C) and benzene/propylene molar ratios (1, 2, 3, 5 and 7) in a batch system using Beta zeolite as catalyst. The highest benzene content reduction (52%) was achieved at 220 degrees C and B/P of 1, although the preferred i-propylbenzene production was attached to high molecular weight poly-alkylated by-products and olefin oligomers, which can trigger catalyst deactivation. The effect of this procedure on the reformation gasoline and on the final gasoline blendstock is also presented. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.