This Article provides new predictions for selectivity in batch reactive distillation, identifying the reflux or reboil ratio and a Damkohler number (Da) as the key operating parameters. The dimensionless Da incorporates the influence of liquid holdup, vapor rate, and rate of reaction. Example results for a system of serial isomerization reactions and for the synthesis of ethylene glycol are provided. The results show that selectivity improvements in BRD are limited for high values of Da or for high values of the reflux or reboil ratio and that selectivity is enhanced as Da or reflux or reboil ratio is decreased. However, decreasing Da can cause conversion loss, which can be mitigated by increasing the reflux (or reboil) ratio at the expense of selectivity. Consequently, there is an optimum value of reflux or reboil ratio that gives a maximum yield for systems operated at low or moderate Da. For the isomerization in a BRD, the heat released by reaction can improve selectivity at the expense of conversion. For ethylene glycol synthesis at a low reboil ratio, BRD has a negative impact on both conversion and selectivity by causing separation of the reactants. We also show that decreasing the reboil ratio near the end of the BRD can increase the removal rate of EG and thereby improve selectivity. This operating strategy is different from a common operating strategy in distillation of increasing reboil ratio near the end of a batch or cut. We also find that an operation with a constant volumetric liquid flow rate provides lower selectivity than a constant molar liquid flow rate.