Abstract: Extractive agent compounds are disclosed, with exemplary compounds having Formula (I): wherein Ra and Rb are independently selected from the group consisting of an oxygen radical, a hydrogen radical, and a hydrocarbyl radical having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and wherein R2-R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of halo, a hydrogen radical, and a hydrocarbyl radical having from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, and further wherein at least two of R2-R6 are halo. Also disclosed are extractive distillation processes, comprising distilling a liquid mixture comprising ethylbenzene, a further C8 aromatic compound, and an extractive agent compound as described herein. The extractive agent contributes to improved separability of ethylbenzene from the further C8 aromatic compound.