Cationic layers: Copper hydroxide ethanedisulfonate consists of cationic sheets (see structure of a [Cu4(OH)6]2+ layer; Cu green, O red, H white) with ethanedisulfonate as extraframework counteranion. This material shows excellent anion exchange properties for both organics and metal oxo anion pollutants, with over five times higher adsorption capacity for permanganate than hydrotalcite.