We propose a perceptual chromatic adaptation transform for white balance that makes use of split-quaternions. The novelty of the present work, which is motivated by a recently developed quantum-like model of color perception, consists at stressing the link between the algebraic structures appearing in this model and a certain sub-algebra of the split-quaternions. We show the potentiality of this approach for color image processing applications by proposing a chromatic adaptation transform, implemented via an appropriate use of the split-quaternion multiplication. Moreover, quantitative comparisons with the widely used state-of-the art von Kries chromatic adaptation transform are provided.