Encapsulation of [(SO4)4(H2O)12]8− clusters in a metal organic framework of pyridyl functionalized cyanuric acid based tris-urea

Encapsulation of hydrated sulfate in a bowl-shaped metal organic coordination polymer formed by Zn2+ assisted self-assembly of a 3-pyridyl terminated cyanuric acid platform based urea receptor is reported in aqueous medium. Trapping of an unusual [(SO4)4(H2O)12]8− cluster in a [Zn(H2O)6]2+ capped self-assembled structure is characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Furthermore, selective binding of SO42− is established from the 1H-NMR titration study.