Efficient removal of perchlorate ion from water by a water-insoluble M2L4 type compound†
Abstract
Reaction of CuSO4·5H2O with 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (m-bbitrb) provides a new positively charged M2L4 type molecule, [SO4⊂Cu2(m-bbitrb)4]SO4. This compound includes SO42− inside and outside the cationic cage. Despite this compound being insoluble in water, it shows highly efficient perchlorate removal activity from water by the exchange with SO42− outside the cage.