The invention provides a method for separating aromatic ring compounds by using carbon nanotubes. The method comprises the following steps: (1) mixing a solution of a substance to be separated with the carbon nanotubes, wherein the substance to be separated contains a first compound and a second compound, and the number of aromatic rings in the first compound is smaller than that of the aromatic rings in the second compound; (2) performing action on a mixture obtained in the step (1) at the treatment temperature which is suitable for desorption of the first compound by the carbon nanotubes, and then filtering to obtain the first compound from filtrate; and (3) mixing the carbon nanotubes after filtration treatment in the step (2) with a solvent, performing action at the treatment temperature which is suitable for desorption of the second compound by the carbon nanotubes, and then filtering to obtain the second compound from the filtrate. The compound separation method provided by the invention has the advantages of simplicity and convenience in operation, rapidness, high yield, small destructiveness against compound molecules and cost-saving property, and is expected to have broad application potential and huge market prospects in the field of compound separation.