Chiral separation by enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction

The literature on enantioselective liquid–liquid extraction (ELLE) spans more than half a century of research. Nonetheless, a comprehensive overview has not appeared during the past few decades. Enantioselective liquid–liquid extraction is a technology of interest for a wide range of chemists and chemical engineers in the fields of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, fragrances and foods. In this review the principles and advances of resolution through enantioselective liquid–liquid extraction are discussed, starting with an introduction on the principles of enantioselective liquid–liquid extraction including host–guest chemistry, extraction and phase transfer mechanisms, and multistage liquid–liquid extraction processing. Then the literature on enantioselective liquid–liquid extraction systems is reviewed, structured on extractant classes. The following extractant classes are considered: crown ether based extractants, metal complexes and metalloids, extractants based on tartrates, and a final section with all other types of chiral extractants.