The liquid phase benzoylation of toluene with benzoyl chloride (BOC) has been studied over ZSM-12, beta, mordenite, Y and REY zeolites and (\mathrm{AlCl}{3}) at (383 \mathrm{~K}). Zeolite (\mathrm{H})-beta is more active and selective than the other zeolites. (\mathrm{H}-\mathrm{ZSM}-5, \mathrm{Na}-\mathrm{Y}) and amorphous (\mathrm{SiO}{2}-\mathrm{Al}{2} \mathrm{O}{3}) do not catalyze the reaction. The acidity of the zeolites was measured by temperature programmed desorption of ammonia. The activity and acidity of the (\mathrm{Y}) zeolites correlate with the degree of (\mathrm{RE}^{3+})-exchange. The influence of various parameters such as duration of the run, (\mathrm{SiO}{2} / \mathrm{Al}{2} \mathrm{O}{3}) ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, molar ratios of reactants and reuse of the zeolite (\mathrm{H})-beta in the benzoylation of toluene are also reported. The conversion of (\mathrm{BOC}) over (\mathrm{H})-beta is significantly enhanced by increasing duration of the run, the reaction temperature, catalyst amount and molar ratios toluene/ BOC. Increase in (\mathrm{SiO}{2} / \mathrm{Al}{2} \mathrm{O}{3}) ratio decreases the (\mathrm{BOC}) conversion. The (\mathrm{HCl}) formed during the reaction deactivates the catalyst.