Process for separating alkylaromatic hydrocarbons

A process of separating at least one C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon from at least one C9 or C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon having at least one methyl or ethyl group, or a mixture thereof comprising:

• a) contacting a mixture containing (I) at least one C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon and (II) at least one C9 or C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon having at least one methyl or ethyl group, or a mixture thereof, with dealuminated sodium zeolite Y having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio in the range of from about 7 to about 25 and consisting essentially of sodium in the ion-exchangeable sites, to selectively adsorb the C9 or C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon(s);
• b) collecting the C8 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon;
• and
• c) desorbing the adsorbed C9, C10, or mixture of C9 and C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon(s) using a desorbent and collecting the C9, C10, or mixture of C9 and C10 alkylaromatic hydrocarbon(s).