The invention relates to a method for producing xylylenediamine, comprising the following steps: ammonoxidation of xylol to form phthalodinitrile and hydrogenation of the phthalodinitrile, whereby the vaporous product of the ammonoxidation stage is directly brought into contact with a liquid organic solvent or with melted phthalodinitrile (quench); constituents having a boiling point lower than that of phthalodinitrile (low boilers) are partially or completely separated out from the obtained quench solution or suspension or phthalodinitrile melt, and; after separating out the low boilers and before the hydrogenation, products having a boiling point higher than that of phthalodinitrile (high boilers) are separated out.