The utilization of liquid-liquid extraction for the separation of 2-phenylbutyric acid (2-PBA) enantiomers was proposed. Factors affecting the extract process were investigated

including organic solvents

β-cyclodextrin derivatives

cyclodextrin concentration

pH and temperature. A model was proposed to describe the separation process based on the homogeneous phase reaction mechanism. Important parameters of this model were determined experimentally. The physical distribution coefficients for molecular and ionic 2-PBA were 0.129 and 7.455

respectively. The equilibrium constants of the complexation reactions were 89.36 and 36.78 L·mol

-1

for (+)-and (-)-2-PBA

respectively. The model was verified by experiments and proved to be an excellent means to optimize the separation system. Through modeling prediction and experiment

the best conditions (e.g.

pH value of 3.00

extractant concentration of 0.1 mol·L

-1

temperature of 5.0℃) were acquired. Under this condition

the maximum enantioselectivity (2.096) was obtained.