SEPARATING XYLENE ISOMERS

摘要

A process is provided for the separation of at least one xylene isomer from a mixture with at least one other xylene isomer. The process involves the sorption of xylene as a guest into a host complex and desorption therefrom whereby at least a primary separation of the isomers is achieved. The host complex includes at least one solid octahedral metal complex of the general formula (Formula I) (I) in which M is a divalent metal, the four substituents R are selected independently of each other to provide the octahedral metal complex with required ligand properties, and X is one or more coordinating anions that may be the same or different. Contacting is carried out with the octahedral metal complex in a solid state and the xylene isomer mixture in the vapour phase.