A simple, cost effective method for producing carbons with high mesopore content is presented. The effect of the ratio of activating agent (ZnCl2) to carbon precursor (coconut shell) on pore size is investigated as is the nitrogen adsorption isotherm of these carbonaceous materials at 77 K. The mesoporosity is substantiated by the absorption capacity for phenol, methylene blue, and erythrosine red. Mesoporous high-surface-area activated carbons. which up to now have proved difficult to prepare, have applications as catalytic, battery electrode, capacitor, gas storage, and biomedical engineering materials.