Chloride-binding in organic-water mixtures: the powerful synergy of C-H donor groups within a bowl-shaped cavity

For the first time, the tetrafluorobenzyl unit has been considered as a C-H center dot center dot center dot anion binding motif. In synergy with imidazolium groups within a bowl-shaped receptor, it has allowed for the effective binding of chloride in solution. Remarkable affinity was observed in organic-water mixtures.