Nitrile Reduction Reverses the Micropollutant Uptake Selectivity of a Tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile-β-Cyclodextrin Polymer

A post-polymerization reduction of nitrile groups to primary amines reverses the selectivity of a crosslinked cyclodextrin polymer network. The as-polymerized material had previously been shown to have a high affinity for cationic organic micropollutants. The reduced polymer has a high affinity for anionic pollutants, including a broad range of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs).