| abstract |
An adsorptive separation process for separating ortho or para-nitrotoluene from a feed mixture comprising the isomer to be separated and at least one other isomer of nitrotoluene, or for separating ortho and para-nitrotoluene from a mixture of all three isomers of nitrotoluene, which process comprises contacting the feed mixture with an adsorbent comprising a type X or type Y zeolite, whichever is appropriate, containing at the exchangeable cationic sites the appropriate cations, selectively adsorbing substantially all of the nitrotoluene to be separated to the substantial exclusion of the remaining isomers and thereafter recovering high-purity ortho, para or ortho and para isomers. A desorption step may be used to desorb the adsorbed isomers. |