A Rh3+ complex 4 derived from 4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)phenol 3 was prepared at room temperature. 3 was stirred with pentamethylcyclopentadienlyrhodium chloride dimer for 30 minutes which resulted yellow precipitates which were washed with methanol, redissolved in acetone and purified chromatographically with ethanol. Phenanthroline-derived 3 was reacted with (3-chloropropyl)trimethoxysilane to obtain an alkylated compound 5. Silica particles were functionalized by reacting with 5 at 70 oC in DMF for 6 h. Functionalized silica particles can be used for removal of different metals from aqueous and organic solutions and due to their bigger size can be easily filtered.