The
use of a squaramide-based ion pair receptor offers a solution to the
very challenging problem of extraction and transport of extremely
hydrated sulfate salt. Herein we demonstrate for the first time that
a neutral receptor is able not only to selectively extract but also
to transport sulfates in the form of an alkali metal salt across membranes
and to do so in a cooperative manner while overcoming the Hofmeister
bias. This was made possible by an enhancement in anion binding promoted
by cation assistance and by diversifying the stoichiometry of receptor
complexes with sulfates and other ions. The existence of a peculiar
4:1 complex of receptor
2
with sulfates in solution was
confirmed by UV–vis and
1
H NMR titration experiments,
DOSY and DLS measurements, and supported by solid-state X-ray measurements.
By varying the separation technique and experimental conditions, it
was possible to switch the depletion of the aqueous layer into extremely
hydrophilic or less lipophilic salts, thus obtaining the desired selectivity.