The chelation behavior of poly(2-hydroxy-4-acryloyloxybenzophenone) [poly(2H4ABP) or polymer I] obtained through the free-radical polymerization of 2-hydroxy-4-acryloyloxybenzophenone monomer and for crosslinked polymers prepared from the monomer and known amounts of the crosslinker divinylbenzene (DVB) [4 mol % of DVB for polymer I], 8 mol % of DVB for polymer III, and 16 mol 16% of DVB for polymer IV] toward the divalent metal ions Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ in aqueous solution was studied by a batch equilibration technique as a function of contact time and pH. The effect of the crosslinker, DVB, was also studied. The metal-ion uptake of the polymers was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy, and the highest uptake was achieved at pH 7.0 for polymers I, II, III, and TV. The selectivity and binding capacity of the resins toward the investigated divalent metal ions are discussed. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.