SEPARATION OF PICOLINE ISOMERS

A process for separating alpha or gamma-picoline from a feed mixture comprising alpha-picoline or gamma-picoline and at least one other picoline isomer from which the alpha or gamma isomer is to be separated. The feed mixture is contacted at adsorption conditions with an adsorbent comprising a type Y zeolite having alkaline earth or iron group cations at exchangeable cationic sites, which exclude the alpha isomer, or with a potassium exchanged type X zeolite or calcium exchanged type Y zeolite which are selective for the gamma isomer. The high purity alpha or gamma isomer is recovered as a raffinate or extract product, respectively. Pyridine is a preferred desorbent material.