Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a 2,3-dihydroxyterephthalamide of the structure (I): ) ##STR1## wherein A is selected from hydrogen or an organic linking group Y attached to a solid substrate Q,R.sub.1 is independently selected from alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or aryl having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, andR.sub.2 is selected from R.sub.1 or an organic linking group Z bonded to a solid substrate, with the proviso that structure (I) has only one linking group selected from Y or Z to a solid substrate Q, as selective chelating or sequestering to remove at least one metal ion from aqueous solution. These dihydroxy compounds are useful to remove metal ions (e.g., Fe.sup.+3, from industrial waste water, human or mammalian blood or plasma, and the like.