Synthetic zeolites have a well-defined pore structure and adjustable hydrophobicity making them highly suitable for a large variety of separation and purification processes. Therefore, zeolites are widely used as adsorbents in the chemical industry.

Synthetic zeolites have the potential of specifically separating molecules which makes them powerful adsorbents. In the chemical industry synthetic zeolites adsorbents are used for instance to remove carbon dioxide from air, sulfur dioxide or water from natural gas streams. An example of a liquid phase process would be separation of xylene isomers.