Resolution of racemic α-cyclohexyl mandelic acid using chiral micromicroemulsion liquid membrane

This paper deals with the resolution of racemic alpha-cyclohexyl mandelic acid across microemulsion liquid membranes system using tartaric acid benzyl ester as chiral selector, sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant and mixed solvent of n-butyl alcohol and n-heptane as organic solvent. The effect of several variables such as chiral selector concentration, pH value in the external aqueous phase and volume ratio of the external aqueous phase to membrane phase was studied. Rapid extraction of alpha-cyclohexyl mandelic acid and highest separation factor can be achieved while the chiral selector concentration is 20 mmol/L, the pH value is 4.0, and the volume ratio of the external aqueous phase to membrane phase is 1.5.