PURPOSE: The use of a catalyst of crystalline aluminosilicate in which all or a part of cations are metals of group II and III lanthanide and actinide enables one-step production of the titled compound from phthalic anhydride and benzene in high yield.

CONSTITUTION: In the production of anthraquinone from phthalic anhydride and benzene, a crystalline aluminosilicate is treated with a compound of metal selected from group II and III lanthanide and actinide in the periodic table to substitute all or a part of the cation parts with these metals and the resultant aluminosilicate is used as a catalyst. The reaction is conducted in a gas pahse, preferably using carbon dioxide as a diluent. The use of carbon dioxide can prohibit the decarboxylation of phtahlic anhydride to increase the yield of anthraquinone.