Employing metal-organic cage for selective capture of UO22+ and Sr2+

Selective capture of UO22+ and Sr2+ ions represents a key component in the nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear accident prevention, and environmental protection. We report herein a proof of concept, employing metal-organic cage (MOC) for the selective capture of UO22+ or Sr2+ ions, through using a C3-symmetrical multiple-carboxylate ligand (H3L) to fix uranyl ions together. By means of such MOC approach, we can facilitate the extraction of uranyl ions from a multiple metallic mixed solution by using the H3L ligands as an extractant, showing an ultrahigh extraction efficiency of 97