Selective Separation of Hexachloroplatinate(IV) Dianions Based on Exo‐Binding with Cucurbit[6]uril
Huang Wu, Yu Wang, Leighton O. Jones, Wenqi Liu, Long Zhang, Bo Song, Xiao‐Yang Chen, Charlotte L. Stern, George C. Schatz, J. Fraser Stoddart
Abstract
Abstract The recognition and separation of anions attracts attention from chemists, materials scientists, and engineers. Employing exo‐binding of artificial macrocycles to selectively recognize anions remains a challenge in supramolecular chemistry. We report the instantaneous co‐crystallization and concomitant co‐precipitation between [PtCl 6 ] 2− dianions and cucurbit[6]uril, which relies on the selective recognition of these dianions through noncovalent bonding interactions on the outer surface of cucurbit[6]uril. The selective [PtCl 6 ] 2− dianion recognition is driven by weak [Pt−Cl⋅⋅⋅H−C] hydrogen bonding and [Pt−Cl⋅⋅⋅C=O] ion–dipole interactions. The synthetic protocol is highly selective. Recognition is not observed in combinations between cucurbit[6]uril and six other Pt‐ and Pd‐ or Rh‐based chloride anions. We also demonstrated that cucurbit[6]uril is able to separate selectively [PtCl 6 ] 2− dianions from a mixture of [PtCl 6 ] 2− , [PdCl 4 ] 2− , and [RhCl 6 ] 3− anions. This protocol could be exploited to recover platinum from spent vehicular three‐way catalytic converters and other platinum‐bearing metal waste.