Improved apparatus for solid–liquid multi-stage counter-current extraction

An improved apparatus for solid–liquid multi-stage counter-current extraction (SLME) was developed. The apparatus has a set of 24 extraction vessels. Each extraction vessel unit is composed of a piston-cylinder in which the solid phase is placed, and a cup-cylinder in which the liquid phase is set. Of the 24 extraction vessels, 20 were used for the separation stage, and the other 4 were used for the back-extraction stage. (±)-Troger’s base was selected as a racemic model compound for the continuous enantioseparation by the apparatus, and a cellulose derivative was used as the chiral separator. After 50 cycles of the operation (in 9 h), 0.1 g of (−)-enantiomer (85% in purity) was recovered from the solid phase by back-extraction with ethanol, whereas 1.1 g of (+)-isomer (75% in purity) was collected from the liquid phase (ethanol).