Alkylation of naphthalene with propylene to diisopropylnaphthalenes (DIPN) for the use as a high-quality solvent was carried out over Ga-SBA-1 mesoporous catalysts. The Ga-SBA-1 catalysts were very active in the alkylation even at 120 A degrees C and the activity increased with amount of Ga incorporated into the framework (n (Si)/n (Ga) ratio in the range of 17-140). Ga-SBA-1 catalysts showed a rather low isomerization activity and as a result low 2,6-DIPN selectivity. These two peculiarities of Ga-SBA-1 catalysts cause they are promising catalysts for DIPN solvent synthesis.