Acid-base properties, kinetics and equilibrium sorption of Ca(2+), Cu(2+), Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Ni(2+) and Mn(2+) ions on fibrous chelating ion exchanger FIBAN X-1 containing iminodiacetic group have been studied. The structural and electronic characteristics of ion-polymeric complexes have been obtained by non-empirical quantum chemical calculations. The rate of sorption processes was extremely high: the half-process time of the sorption process was equal to 24 s. The isotherms of ion sorption are described by the Langmuir equation what allowed deriving equation for dependence of the distribution coefficient on the ion concentration and accurate extrapolation of these value to zeros concentration. The concentration range the Henry's law applicability was determined theoretically and proved experimentally. The sorption selectivity series in a neutral medium was Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd > Mn > Ca. The same series follows the pH at which the sorption begins. Complete extraction of all heavy metal ions occurs at pH > 4. The quantum chemical calculations have shown that the selectivity of sorption is determined by the number of coordination bonds between the cation and fixed anion, the length of the bonds and degree of their covalence. The way of combining of these factors is individual for each specific cation and can be revealed by quantum chemical calculations. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.