The present invention relates to a process for recovering polar hydrocarbons from non-polar hydrocarbons, such as aromatics from non-aromatics, naphthenes from paraffins and isoparaffins, or olefins from paraffins and isoparaffins, in feed mixtures containing at least a measurable amount of heavier hydrocarbons. According to the invention, an improved extractive distillation (ED) process is disclosed for recovering aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX aromatics) from the C6-C8 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C9+ hydrocarbons.The invention also relates to an improved ED process for recovering mainly benzene and toluene from the C6-C7 petroleum streams containing at least a measurable amount of C8+ hydrocarbons. This invention is further directed toward the regeneration and recovery of the ED solvent utilized to recover and purify the aromatic hydrocarbons from the petroleum stream containing at least a measurable amount of hydrocarbons heavier than intend feedstock.