Water is produced during the industrial production of 3-mercaptopropionic acid; so to separate and purify 3-mercaptopropionic acid, four common solvents {n-octanol, isopropyl acetate, methyl isopropyl ketone, and diisopropyl ether} were chosen to separate water and 3-mercaptopropionic acid. The liquid−liquid equilibrium (LLE) data of water +3mercaptopropionic acid + {n-octanol, isopropyl acetate, methyl isopropyl ketone, and diisopropyl ether} were measured at 303.2 K and 101.3 kPa. The distribution coefficient (D) and separation factor (S) were calculated to compare the extraction performance of the four solvents. Next, the NRTL and UNIQUAC models were used to regress the experimental data and the relevant regression parameters were obtained. The root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) of the NRTL and UNIQUAC models are less than 0.0057 and 0.0056, respectively, indicating that the two models are suitable for this system. The reliability of the binary interaction parameters was demonstrated by hybrid surface analysis of the Gibbs energy topology. Finally, the surface electrostatic potential distribution of the extractant and 3mercaptopropionic acid was analyzed, the interaction energy between 3-mercaptopropionic acid and extractant was calculated by the quantum chemical method, and the difference in extraction performance of four extractants was analyzed.