The removal of boron was analyzed by liquid-phase polymer based retention (LPR) technique using washing and enrichment method. The extracting reagents were water-soluble polymers (WSPs) containing quaternary ammonium salts and N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMG) groups. The removal experiments of boron using the washing method were conducted at 1 bar of pressure by varying pH, polymer:boron molar ratio, and concentrations of interfering ions (chloride and sulfate). The results showed higher retention capacity for boron (60%) at pH 10 with the polymer containing NMG group. The optimal polymer:boron molar ratio was 40 : 1. Selectivity experiments showed that the presence of interfering ions did not affect the boron removal capacity. The maximal boron retention capacity was determined by the enrichment method, obtaining a value of 12 mg B/g-polymer. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013