An improved process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds by paraffin dehydrogenation and aromatic alkylation is disclosed. Aromatic by-products normally formed in paraffin dehydrogenation are selectively removed using at least one aromatics removal zone. Removal of these aromatic by-products significantly reduces the deactivation rate of solid alkylation catalysts. The improved process produces a detergent alkylate product that is significantly more linear than that produced by the prior art process.