A novel chelating resin containing sulfoxide and diethylene glycol, poly(4-vinylbenzyl-[2-2-(hydroxyethyl)ethoxyl]sulfoxidel (PVESO) was synthesized using chloromethylated polystyrene (PS-Cl) as material. Its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption capacities of the resin for H g(2+), Ag+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ at various PH values were determined. The maximum adsorption capacities for Hg2+ and Ag+ were 1.56 and 0.75 mmol g(-1) respectively. The resin had high selectivity for Hg2+ and Ag+ over the pH range 1.0-7.0. The adsorption capacities for Hg2+ and Ag+ under competitive condition were also determined by batch experiment method. In addition, the adsorption kinetics of the resin towards Hg2+ at different temperatures was also investigated. The results showed that the adsorption rate was governed by film diffusion at 20 degrees C and 25 degrees C, by particle diffusion at 30 degrees C and 35 degrees C. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.