INVESTIGATION ON INTERFACIAL REACTION-KINETICS OF PENICILLIN-G AND AMBERLITE LA-2 FROM MEMBRANE FLUX MEASUREMENTS

Interfacial reaction kinetics for reactive extraction of penicillin G from aqueous solutions by Amberlite LA-2 in a mixture of kerosene and n-butyl acetate were studied using a microporous membrane-based stirre d cell. This operation gave intrinsic rate equations for formation and dissociation of the Amberlite LA-2 complex of penicillin G occurring at or near the organic-aqueous interface. The effect of temperature on the reaction rates was also examined and the activation energies were determined. On the basis of the reaction kinetics and transport param eters within two stagnant layers, the fractional resistances of aqueou s layer diffusion, interfacial chemical reaction, and organic layer di ffusion were quantitatively determined in this liquid-liquid extractio n process (forward and backward), and thus the transport mechanism was clarified. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.