A new, selective material for solid phase extraction of metal ions was prepared by chemical polymerization of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene. Poly(1,8-DAN) was synthesized using two different oxidizing agents: iron(III) chloride and sodium peroxydisulphate. The structures and properties of these polymers were characterized by several techniques. The affinity of some divalent metal ions towards poly(1,8-DAN) was evaluated as a function of pH. Poly-1,8-DAN showed good capacity (23 mg/g) and high selectivity towards copper ions in pH 3-4. Half saturation of the sorbent was achieved in less than 10 min. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.