The adsorption behavior of crosslinked lignophenol gel for various metal ions from chloride media was investigated. The gel was found to exhibit selectivity only for Au(III) over a wide range of hydrochloric acid concentration. Also, ethylenediamine group immobilized lignophenol gel (EN-lignin) was found to be selective also for Pd(II) and Pt(IV) with enhanced efficiency for Au(III). (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.