Chemically functionalized hyper-cross-linked polymers (HCLPs) are desired for efficient adsorption of aromatic compounds. Herein primary amine (-NH2) was indirectly functionalized on the HCLPs and the aniline-modified HCLPs namely An-HCLP was assessed by adsorption of salicylic acid from aqueous solution. The results indicated that 2.24 mmol.g(1) of -NH2 groups were uploaded and they are greatly beneficial for the adsorption, the enthalpy change was figured out to be -35.27 kJ.mol(1), and multiple interactions including acid-base interaction and hydrogen bonding are the main driving forces. Moreover, An-HCLP owned hierarchical porosity with continuous micropores and mesopores, which endowed them with fast kinetic adsorption, 55 min is sufficient for the adsorption attaining equilibrium, and the pseudo-second-order rate equation describes the kinetic very well with the kinetic constant (k(2)) of 1.266 x 10 (3) g.mg(1).min(1). (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd.