The methylation of ethylbenzene over X type zeolites was studied at atmospheric pressure and temperature of 400-500-degrees-C. Ring and side-chain alkylation take place, respectively, on the acid and base zeolite, viz. HX and KX. With KX at 500-degrees-C, alkylation and dealkylation proceed, respectively, via carbanion and carbonium ion mechanism, whereas dehydrogenation and demethylation occur via free radical mechanism. The ratio of radical to ionic activity increases with increasing contact time, reaction temperature and time-on-stream.