To produce the subject compound in a high selectivity by reacting a dichloropropane-containing ethylbenzene solution with chlorine in the presence of a zeolite.

(B) An ethylbenzene solution containing 1,2-dichloropropane is reacted with (C) chlorine in the presence of (A) a zeolite (preferably L type zeolite) usually at ≥30°C, preferably ≥40°C to thereby produce (D) para- chloroethylbenzene. The component B preferably contains the 1,2-dichloropropane in an amount of 0.01-10 times expressed in terms of weight ratio based on the ethylbenzene. The para-selectivity can be improved according to the method and the para-chloroethylbenzene can industrially be synthesized from the ethylbenzene in a high selectivity.