The synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the catalytic properties of a hemin-methacrylamide-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymer are described. This polymer catalyzes the oxidative dechlorination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, yielding 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone as the main reaction product. This low-cost material allows the complete removal of TCP from water at concentration level of 20 mg L-1 in less than 30 min. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.