Engineering\na Surfactant Trap via Postassembly Modification\nof an Imine Cage

Imine self-assembly stands as a potent strategy for the\npreparation\nof molecular organic cages. However, challenges persist, such as water\ninsolubility and limited recognition properties due to constraints\nin the application of specific components during the self-assembly\nprocess. In this study, we addressed these limitations by initially\nemploying a locking strategy, followed by a postassembly modification.\nThis sequential approach enables precise control over both the solubility\nand host–guest properties of an imine-based cage. The resulting\nstructure demonstrates water solubility and exhibits an exceptional\ncapacity to selectively interact with anionic surfactants, inducing\ntheir precipitation. Remarkably, each cage precipitates 24 equiv of\nanionic surfactants even at concentrations much lower than the surfactant’s\ncritical micelle concentration (CMC), ensuring their complete removal.\nMolecular simulations elucidate how anionic surfactants specifically\ninteract with the cage to facilitate aggregation below the surfactant\nCMC and induce precipitation as a micellar cross-linker. This innovative\nclass of cages paves the way for the advancement of materials tailored\nfor environmental remediation.