Kinetics research on the reactive extraction of 2-phenylbutyric acid enantiomers using hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin(HE-β-CD) as extractant was performed in a Lewis cell.A homogeneous reaction model and a two-film theory were employed to describe the mass transfer mechanism of the reactive extraction process.The process parameters affecting the initial extraction rate

including agitation speed

interfacial area

pH value of aqueous phase

initial concentration of 2-phenylbutyric acid(2-PBA) enantiomers and initial concentration of extractant

were separately studied.The results showed that the reaction between hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin and 2-phenylbutyric acid was a fast reaction.It was found that the reaction was first order in 2-phenylbutyric acid and second order in hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin.The forward rate constants for the extraction of(+)-2-phenylbutyric acid and(-)-2-phenylbutyric acid were 2.829×10-4 and 1.803×10-4m6·mol-2·s-1

respectively.The results were useful for the design and operation of reactive extraction process in large-scale production

and provide scientific basis for equipment design and process intensification.