Where the anion extraction is going?

Reactive extraction processes represent efficient and smart technologies for separation and concentration of metal ions in solution, which are frequently used in industry. Despite the importance of anions in biology, medicine, environment and industry, practical examples of anion extraction are relatively limited compared to metal ion separation. Anion extraction processes are mainly based on the non-specific ion pair formation with hydrophobic ammonium cations. In this case the phase transfer of anions is dominated by their lipophilicity. The reasons for this situation are closely connected with the specific features of anions in contrast to cations. Novel approaches for specific binding and selective transport of anionic components are based both on the better understanding of the biological role of anions and on the possibilities of supramolecular chemistry to build up receptor architectures with complementary binding modes for anions. In the given review the authors discuss present research tendencies and application possibilities of new extractant types for separation and concentration of anionic species in solution.