Selective anion sensing in high salt water via a remote indicator displacement assay

Abstract

A host–guest sensor can detect micromolar amounts of iodide in high salt buffer, via conformational rearrangement and indicator displacement.

pH-Dependent phosphate separation using a tripodal hexaurea receptor

“…, urea, amide, amine) and demonstrated selective phosphate binding in bulk solution. 9–19 However, the removal of phosphates from aqueous solution using synthetic receptors remains a daunting challenge. This is because of the complex acid–base properties (p K a of H 3 PO 4 : 2.1, 7.2, 12.3) and extremely high hydration energies (Δ G hyd : −473 kJ mol −1 for H 2 PO 4 − , −1366 kJ mol −1 for HPO 4 2− , and −2753 kJ mol −1 for PO 4 3− ) as well as the inevitable self-association of phosphates.…”