Abstract: An adsorption process for separating the high octane components, including multi-branched paraffins and isopentane of a C.sub.5 -C.sub.6 isomerate from lower octane monobranched and normal paraffin components by contacting the isomerate with an X zeolite exchanged with a mixture of at least two cations from Group II-A. The adsorbed low octane components are preferably desorbed with a desorbent selected from the group consisting essentially of isooctane, 2,2,3-trimethyl pentane, 2,2,4-trimethyl pentane, 2,3,4-trimethyl pentane, 1,2-dimethyl cyclohexane, 2,2-dimethyl hexane, 2,2-dimethyl octane, 3-ethyl hexane, 2,2,4-trimethyl hexane and mixtures thereof.