Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were successfully synthesized by bulk polymerization for the extraction of nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). Based on the HPLC method, the linear calibration range of 0.5-5 mg L-1 for 2,4-dinitrotoluene, nitrobenzene and 2-nitrotoluene gave detection limits of 13.6, 7.7 and 27.2 mu g L-1, respectively, and good correlation values of R-2 > 0.993 of all the analytes were obtained. The optimum sorption was at a sorbent dosage of 5 g L-1, a contact time of 15 min and at pH 8. Recoveries for 2,4-dinitrotoluene, nitrobenzene and 2nitrotoluene from spiked real water samples were all >= 82%.