The preparation of alkylaryl compounds takes place, inter alia, by a1) preparation of a C.sub.4 -olefin mixture from LPG, LNG or MTO streams, b 1) reaction of the C.sub.4-olefin mixture obtained in this way over a metathesis catalyst for the preparation of an olefin mixture comprising 2-pentene and/or 3-hexene, and optional removal of 2-pentene and/or 3-hexene, c1) dimerization of the 2-pentane and/or 3-hexene obtained in stage b1) over a dimerization catalyst to give a mixture comprising C.sub.10-12-olefins, and optional removal of the C.sub.10-12- olefins, d1) reaction of the C.sub.10-12-olefin mixtures obtained in stage a1) with an aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of an alkylation catalyst to form alkylaromatic compounds, it being possible to add additional linear olefins prior to the reaction.