Method for separating m-cresol and p-cresol

摘要

The cresol isomers can be separated from a mixture of m- and p-cresol by adsorption on faujasite zeolites followed by desorption, in which process a faujasite zeolite is employed which contains at least one cation of an element of the first and/or second main group of the periodic table (Mendeleev), and in which process a desorbent is employed which contains secondary or tertiary (cyclo)aliphatic alcohol, it being possible for the secondary or tertiary alcohol to be present on its own or in the form of a mixture of a plurality of secondary alcohols or a mixture of a plurality of tertiary alcohols or as a mixture of a plurality of secondary and tertiary alcohols or as a mixture of secondary and/or tertiary alcohols with one or more phenols, aliphatic primary alcohols or ketones.