A triethanolamine-based anion receptor functionalized with H-bond donating urea groups has been designed and synthesized for selective separation of hydrophilic phosphates from aqueous media of high anionic and cationic complexity. Competitive extraction experiments reveal exclusive formation of the phosphate complexes in the presence of an excess of competing anions, a prerequisite for efficient phosphate recovery from eutrophic aquatic systems.

Selective recognition of an oxoanion necessitates the design and synthesis of hydrogen bond donor receptors capable of discriminating between anions of comparable size, shape, and basicity. A urea-functionalized second-generation tripodal anion receptor has been demonstrated to selectively encapsulate and separate phosphate ions (PO₄ ^3-, and HPO₄ ^2-) from aqueous matrices of high anionic and cationic complexity. Competitive liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) experiments reveal exclusive formation of phosphate complexes in the presence of an excess of competing oxoanions and halide, which is a prerequisite for efficient phosphate recovery from highly eutrophic aquatic systems and also important for therapeutic applications as an effective phosphate binder. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide has served as a receptor solubilizer and an anion-exchange agent, facilitating phosphate transfer from the aqueous to the organic phase (dichloromethane) in exchange for hydroxide ions. The identity and purity of the LLE-derived anion complexes are confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P) and mass spectroscopy, establishing phosphate selectivity of the receptor. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals phosphate encapsulation within a π-stacked dimeric capsular assembly of the receptor (2:1 host–guest complex).