Self‐Assembled Anion‐Binding Cryptand for the Selective Liquid–Liquid Extraction of Phosphate Anions

Abstract

The ligands L¹ and L² form trinuclear self-assembled complexes with Cu²⁺ (i.e. [(L¹ )₂ Cu₃ ]⁶⁺ or [(L² )₂ Cu₃ ]⁶⁺ ) both of which act as a host to a variety of anions. Inclusion of long aliphatic chains on these ligands allows the assemblies to extract anions from aqueous media into organic solvents. Phosphate can be removed from water efficiently and highly selectively, even in the presence of other anions.