This invention is directed to a reactive distillation process and system for the alkylation of liquid aromatic compounds with a liquid olefin or olefin/paraffin mixture. The aromatic compound may have from about 6 to about 30 carbons and the olefin may have from about 8 to 30 carbons. The system has a reactor configuration utilizing an alkylation catalyst, a reboiler with product takeoff, and a feed inlet above the catalyst bed. The system may also include a means for in-situ mixing of the aromatic compound and olefin or olefin/paraffin mixture, an overhead condenser and/or a water takeoff.