Chelating resin with macrocyclic mercaptal group supported on maeroporous polystyrene heads was synthesized
which showed good selectivity to Hg2+: its complexing capacity amounted to 30-60 mg Hg3+/g resin
two orders of magnitude greater than for other metal ions such as Ca2+
Zn2+
Ni2+
Pb2+ etc. This resin could restore the activity of urease which had been deactivated by poisoning with Hg2+. Its restoring power was far better than morcapto-resin and common anionic exchange resins. It showed some promise for use as an oral poolymeric detoxifying drug for mercury poisoning.