Aqueous self-assembly and cation selectivity of cobaltabisdicarbollide dianionic dumbbells.

The anion [3,3'-Co(C2B9H11)2](-) ([COSAN](-)) produces aggregates in water. These aggregates are interpreted to be the result of C-H⋅⋅⋅H-B interactions. It is possible to generate aggregates even after the incorporation of additional functional groups into the [COSAN](-) units. The approach is to join two [COSAN](-) anions by a linker that can adapt itself to act as a crown ether. The linker has been chosen to have six oxygen atoms, which is the ideal number for K(+) selectivity in crown ethers. The linker binds the alkaline metal ions with different affinities; thus showing a distinct degree of selectivity. The highest affinity is shown towards K(+) from a mixture containing Li(+), Na(+), …