Water-soluble and water-insoluble beta-cyclodextrin polymers (beta-CDPs) were prepared from beta-CD using 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTCA) as a cross-linker. The structures of the synthesized water-soluble and water-insoluble beta-CDPs were characterized in detail using FT-IR, solution- and solid-state NMR, and H-1 diffusion-ordered spectroscopic techniques. The water solubility of beta-CDP was dependent on the reaction temperature as well as the initial feed ratio of beta-CD and BTCA. The BTCA content and the ratio of BTCA molecules cross-linked and grafted to beta-CD were also found to influence the water solubility of the polymers. Insoluble beta-CDP5 were effective in adsorbing bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous media, with this absorption being highest in materials of low BTCA content, which corresponds to material of high beta-CD content per unit mass of beta-CDP. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.