In a process for selectively separating 1-butene from a C.sub.4 feed
stream comprising at least 1-butene, cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene, the
feed stream is passed through a first bed of an adsorbent comprising a
crystalline microporous material to form a substantially
trans-2-butene-free effluent stream. Then, the substantially
trans-2-butene-free effluent stream is passed through a second bed of an
adsorbent comprising a crystalline microporous material to form a
substantially 1-butene-free effluent stream, whereby the 1-butene is
separated from the feed stream. The adsorbed 1-butene is then typically
desorbed from the second adsorbent bed either by lowering the pressure or
raising the temperature of the bed.