The present study ideals with the equilibrium reactive extraction of glycolic acid from aqueous solution by two different extractants [tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and tri-n-octylamine (TOA)] at constant concentration of 0.573 kmol . m(-3) dissolving in a wide range of diluents [n-hexane, decane-1-ol, n-hexane + decane-1-ol (1:1 v/v), 4-methylpentan-2-one (MIBK), benzene, and dichloromethane (DCM)] at isothermal conditions (298 +/- 1 K). The effects of various parameters such as acid concentration (0.10-0.57 kmol . m(-3)), extractant type, and type of diluent on the recovery of glycolic acid from aqueous solution are derived. The values of equilibrium constants (K-E), number of reacting acid molecules (m) per extractant molecule, and also the equilibrium constants (K-11 and K-21) for individual complexes between acid and extractant are estimated through the proposed mathematical model. Further, the experimental values of the distribution coefficients (K-D) are correlated using the linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) model which is based on solute-olvent interaction parameters. The extraction power of TBP and TOA in terms of K-D increases in the order of DCM >= MIBK > decan-1-ol > n-hexane + decan-1-ol (1:1 v/v) >= benzene >= n-hexane, and DCM >= decan-1-ol > MIBK > n-hexane + decan-1-ol (1:1 v/v) > benzene > n-hexane, respectively.