Zeolite adsorbents play a vital role in molecular separation technology, industrial catalysis and pollution control. In spite of its relevance to these areas, few fundamental studies have thus far been devoted to the adsorption of mixtures. The complexity of the molecular filling patterns of zeolite micropores directed earlier investigations, rather, into the adsorption of a single compound. Herein, we report the investigation of the adsorption of binary mixtures of n-alkanes with chain lengths up to C 22 from the liquid phase on ZSM-5 zeolite, and the discovery of unexpected selectivities depending on subtle differences in the number of carbon atoms. In some n-alkane mixtures, the uptake of the lighter molecule was favored, whereas in other mixtures the heavier molecule was preferred. With other alkane combinations, azeotropic behavior of the adsorbate phase was also encountered. Systematic exploration of binary mixtures in the carbon range C 5 -C 22 led to the identification of the underlying mechanisms.Intriguing effects in the adsorption of single components in microporous environments, such as zeolites were found recently. For example, ferrierite behaves as a 1D pore system for long-chain n-alkane molecules (> C 5 ), whereas only shorter molecules can exploit its full 2D pore system. [1][2][3][4] With ferrierite and ZSM-22, the siting of dibranched alkane seems to depend subtly on their size. At low coverage the dibranched alkanes adsorb in parallel to the outer surface of the zeolite and as coverage increases, additional molecules adsorb in such a manner that propyl and butyl groups point into the pores.[5] Other studies focused on the relationship between pore size and energy of interaction of pure substances. [6,7] Efforts have been made in the study of adsorption of hydrocarbons on ZSM-5 and Silicalite-1. These zeolites have the MFI framework topology are among the most studied zeolites in the field of adsorption, diffusion and catalysis.[8] The pore system of these zeolites comprises linear channels, with a free pore diameter of 5.6 5.3 , that are