The feasibility of effecting both methylation and acylation of phenol with a single reagent, methyl acetate was investigated over MgZSM-5, MgY and Mgbeta zeolites at 200, 250, 300, 350, 400degreesC with a feed ratio 1:2 (phenol:methyl acetate). The major products were anisole, 2,6-dimethylphenol (2,6-DMP), 2,4-dimethylphenol (2,4-DMP), o-cresol and phenyl acetate. Phenol conversion increased with increase in reaction temperature from 200 to 350degreesC but decreased at 400degreesC over Mgbeta. Selectivity to anisole also exhibited similar trend. High selectivity to 2,6-DMP, o-cresol and phenyl acetate was noted at 350degreesC. Selectivity to 2,4-DMP was not as high as 2,6-DMP. Increase in methyl acetate content in the feed increased the conversion, but a decrease in conversion was noted at the feed ratio 1:7. The activity of the catalysts at 400degreesC followed the order Mgbeta > MgZSM-5 approximate to MgY which was also the order of Lewis acidity. Increase in WHSV decreased the conversion. The study of time on stream showed decrease in conversion with increase in stream. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.