A Mannich base derivative of 5,11,17,23-tetrakis-[(1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro-[4.5]decanyl)methyl]-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxy calix[4]arene 3 was synthesized by the treatment of calix[4]arene with a cyclic secondary amine (1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro-[4.5]decane) and formaldehyde. The compound 3 was treated with dibromoxylene to obtain a calix[4]arene-based copolymer 4. In batch sorption experiments of selected carcinogenic azo dyes and aromatic amines, the compounds 3 and 4 were found to be a better sorbent for azo dyes than for the aromatic amines. It was observed that the percentage of azo dye removal was 95-99% for compound 3 and 83-97% for 4 when the pH of the dye solution was in the range of 2.0-8.0. The sorption of azo dyes and aromatic amines by calix[4]arenes-based compounds indicates that amino groups play the major role for the formation of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.