The present invention provides a process for producing a monoalkylated benzene comprising the step of contacting benzene with an alkylating agent in the presence of a catalyst composition under effective alkylation conditions to form said monoalkylated benzene and polyalkylated benzene, said catalyst composition comprising MCM-56 and a binder, such that the crystal/binder weight ratio in said catalyst composition is from about 20/80 to about 80/20, wherein said polyalkylated benzene comprises dialkylated benzene and trialkylated benzene, and the weight ratio of trialkylated benzene to dialkylated benzene is in the range from about 0.08 to about 0.12.