The catalytic liquid phase benzylation of benzene to diphenylmethane (DPM) with benzyl alcohol (BnOH) was investigated over various zeolite catalysts (HSZ 600 mordenite. CBV 20A mordenite, H-beta zeolites with Si/Al of 10.8 and 35.8, respectively) at 353-423 K and under atmospheric pressure, using three reaction methodologies: (A) by adding all benzyl alcohol at the beginning of the reaction, (B) by dropwise addition of benzyl alcohol (1-2 drops/min for 4 h) and (C) under continuous flow conditions. Nafion-embedded silica and AlCl3/MCM-41 were also tested for comparison. The conversion and product distribution largely depended on the experimental conditions and the zeolite nature. Under optimal conditions using the Beta zeolite (Si/Al molar ratio of 10.8) and the (C) methodology, selectivity to DPM of 88.9% for a conversion of BnOH of 99.2% were achieved. Recycling tests showed that the catalyst preserved its activity and selectivity to DPM after several cycles. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.