The selective removal of oxoanions (e.g., nitrate, chromate, sulfate, …) from various aqueous solutions containing mixtures of other anions has been a difficult issue to address. Recent studies have shown that guanidinium groups have promise as building blocks for the design of receptors for oxoanions. Guanidiniums can hydrogen bond along the edges of the oxoanions oxygens, and they possess a cationic charge allowing for the formation of charge-neutral complexes that are conducive to extraction. However, the effectiveness of guanidinium-based receptors has been limited for further development in extraction processes due to their low solubility and synthetic intractability. Herein we will discuss a new class of highly organic-soluble iminoguanidinium receptors that can be synthesized with high yields in three simple steps. This new class of receptors exhibits high selectivity and efficient removal of sulfate and other oxoanions from mixtures of anions. To provide insight into the molecular origins of the observed extraction properties, the structural nature of the iminoguanidinium receptors in solution was also studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAX).

Synthesis and study of new highly soluble tetraalkylated bis(imino)guanidiniums for the selective removal of oxoanions from aqueous solutions containing mixtures of anions

253rd National Meeting (2017)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.