Abstract: Process for the recovery of pure hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon mixture, more particularly, a high aromatics content hydrocarbon mixture, by extractive distillation in an extractive distillation column. A first solvent feed for a first sub-flow of a selective solvent is provided between the top part of the column and the bottom part thereof. The selective solvent used is an N-substituted morpholine. Substantially non-aromatics are withdrawn as the raffinate from the head of the extractive distillation column and substantially aromatics and selective solvent are withdrawn as the extract from the sump of the extractive distillation column. A second sub-flow of the selective solvent is introduced via a second solvent feed in the top part of the column above the first solvent feed. The quantity of solvent supplied with the second sub-flow constitutes less than 50% of the total quantity of solvent.