A method of converting hydrocarbons requires contacting a hydrocarbon stream containing alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons with a catalyst of a phosphorus-containing pentasil zeolite in a reactor. The phosphorus-containing pentasil zeolite having a phosphorus content of 7.5% or less by weight of zeolite, a pore volume of at least 0.2 ml/g, and a 27Al MAS NMR spectrum characterized by a peak at or near 50 ppm that is greater than any other peak in said spectrum. A benzene-enriched output stream is recovered from the reactor.