The invention relates to a process for recovering monoalkylbenzene from a gas stream comprising oxygen and monoalkylbenzene, —wherein the gas stream comprising oxygen and monoalkylbenzene is contacted with a liquid stream comprising polyalkylbenzene, a compound comprising two phenyl groups connected to each other via a C1-C3 alkylene bridge or a mixture thereof. Further, the present invention relates to a process for preparing alkyl phenyl hydroperoxide incorporating said monoalkylbenzene recovery.