Interest in the development of solvent-impregnated resins (SIRs) and their applications for the separation of metal ions and organic compounds from water in the form of a hybrid polymeric adsorbent material has intensified over the past thirty years. SIRs are particulate adsorbers that possess a combination of the advantageous features of both liquid-liquid extraction and ion exchange and this renders them applicable to a wide range of potential liquid-solid separation and recovery processes. This paper reviews the extensive published literature on methods of synthesis of SIRs, attempts to stabilize hybrid solvent-impregnated resins and various applications of SIRs. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.