Self-assembled construction of a sheet-type coordination polymer bearing cationic M 2 L 4 cages: creation of channel-like space for removal of ClO 4 − and NO 3 − from aqueous solutions

Treatment of CuCl 2 with a bis-benzimidazole-type ligand, p -bbiteb, afforded a new 2D coordination polymer bearing cationic Cu 2 L 4 cages on the sheet framework. The regular arrangement of the cages created channel-like space for anions. The compound removed ClO 4 − and NO 3 − from aqueous solutions by exchange with Cl − in the channels.