The selective synthesis of 6-O-lattryl mannose by lipase-catalyzed esterification of D-mannose with lauric acid in acetone was achieved in a circulating fluidized bed reactor. The effects of operational parameters were investigated and optimized. Lipase of 6 g, expansion ratio of 1.4, mannose of 3.2 mmol/L, lauric acid of 80 mmol/L and substrates flow rate of 1.0 mL/min in acetone at 50 degrees C were predicted to be the optimum conditions. The average yield in continuous operation for the first 5 days was above 30%, corresponding to a productivity of 59.26 g/L d. Then it decreased to about 25% until 7.5 days later. No diester was detected during the process. It is shown that the new reactor would play an important role in the selective synthesis of monolauryl mannose.