A copolymer resin (p-APDF) has been synthesized using the monomers p-aminophenol, dithiooxamide, formaldehyde in 1 : 1 : 2M proportions in the presence of 2M HCl as catalyst. The structure of p-APDF copolymer has been elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis and various physicochemical techniques, i.e., UV-visible, FTIR, and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. The number average molecular weight of copolymer resin was determined by nonaqueous conductometric titration in DMF. Viscosity measurement were carried out in DMF indicate normal behavior. The prepared resin proved to be a selective ion exchange resin for some metal ions. The chelating ion exchange properties of this resin was studied for Fe(III) and Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) ions. A batch equilibrium method was used to study selectivity of metal ion uptake over a wide pH range and in media of various ionic strength. The resin showed a higher selectivity for Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II) ions than for Co(II), Pb(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) ions. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 1421-1427, 2012