NU 2012-126 Inventors
Abstract Northwestern researchers have developed a high-affinity scavenger of an array of different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This invention, called ExBox, is a receptor molecule that possess a large rectangular cavity with a rigid box-like geometry enabling it to form strong noncovalent bonding interactions with PAHs ranging from two to seven fused rings in both organic and aqueous media. ExBox is a 'one-size fits all' approach to the sequestration of a variety of PAHs in many different environments, which is an improvement over current technologies that require different compounds for sequestering different sizes of PAHs. Additionally, when ExBox sequesters a PAH, it changes from colorless to colored (bright yellow or orange), allowing this technology to be used for a variety of applications. For example, ExBox can be used for the extraction and detection of harmful PAHs from the environment as well as for the purification processes relating to air, water, and crude oil. Applications
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Publications Barnes JC, Juriçek M, Strutt NL, Frasconi M, Sampath S, Giesener MA, McGrier PL, Bruns CJ, Stern CL, Sarjeant AA, & Stoddart JF (2012) Ex Box: A Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Scavenger. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 135: 183-92. IP Status US Issued Patent 9,290,495