Ligands for lithium detection or extraction from fluids and lithium complexes comprising the same

Abstract

Ligands capable of complexing hydrated lithium ions may comprise at least one arylboronic acid internally complexed with a heteroatom, such as via internal complexation with an amine, ether, or carbonyl to define a 5- or 6-membered ring. The arylboronic acid may be covalently bonded to a substrate via a linker moiety when accomplishing the foregoing, or the linker moiety may contain a reactive functionality capable of forming a covalent bond to a substrate or other group. The linker moiety may be further covalently bonded to an anionic functional group, such as a second arylboronic acid internally complexed with a second heteroatom. Ligands may also comprise at least one arylboronic acid internally complexed with a heteroatom, wherein the ligand is further covalently bonded to a molecule that undergoes a spectroscopic or electrochemical change in the presence of lithium ions. Substrate-bound or substrate-free lithium complexes may be formed using the ligands.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.