Several XAD resins, two of their chemically modified derivatives, and two carbon absorbents were evaluated by measurement of distribution coefficients using the batch method. Numerical comparison of distribution data and graphical interpretation of these resins were also presented. The distribution differences were explained in terms of resin structure and solvent compositions. Naphthalene was the solute for the study, and methanol the solvent. It was found that Spherocarb, a newly developed carbon adsorbent, had very large distribution coefficient. However, in the application for separation, desorption can conceivably be a problem. Distribution data collected can be a valuable aid in the choice of adsorbent, solvent composition and other operating conditions in separation work.