Macroporous cross-linked poly(N-methyl-N-p-vinylbenzylacetamide) (PMVBA), poly(N-methyl-N-p-vinylbenzylcaprolactam) (PMVBC), and poly(N-methyl-N-p-vinylbenzylurea) (PMVBU) were synthesized and their adsorption behavior for phenol in cyclohexane was investigated. The results indicated that the adsorption capacities of phenol on the three adsorbents followed the order PMVBU > PMVBA > PMVBC. Adsorption isotherms of phenol on the three polymeric adsorbents were measured and correlated to a Freundlich isotherm. Adsorption enthalpy, adsorption Gibbs free energy, and adsorption entropy were calculated using thermodynamic function relationships. It was found that the adsorption enthalpy of phenol on PMVBU was almost twice that on PMVBA and PMVBC. Analysis of the adsorption mechanism suggested that hydrogen bonding was the primary driving force for phenol adsorbed on the adsorbents in cyclohexane, and multiple hydrogen bonding was involved for PMVBU with phenol. (C ) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.