Silica gel with covalently attached bambusuril macrocycle for dicyanoaurate sorption from water

Anion removal from aqueous solutions remains a major challenge due to the strong hydration of anions. Here, we report the preparation of silica gel functionalized with covalently anchored bambusuril macrocycles. In aqueous solution, this material efficiently sorbs dicyanoaurate(I), the key anion in gold mining, even in the presence of competing dicyanoargentate(I) anions. We also examine the recyclability of the material and assess its stability in organic solvents, comparing its performance with that of a previously developed material containing noncovalently bound bambusuril.