A group of new polyimides has been prepared by solution condensation of 2,6-bis[1-(p-dimethylaminophenylimino)ethyl] pyridine containing pendant NMe2 units and various dianhyrides in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The tridentate (N-N'-N) pydim ligands were prepared by Schiff-base condensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine and 4-dimethylaminoaniline in the presence of formic acid as catalyst. These polymers were investigated for their extraction capabilities for Zn(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), Cd (II) and Ni(II) and at different pH. Under different conditions enhanced selectivity was observed. Up to 98% quantitative recoveries were observed for all metals.