Amberlite XAD-2 has been functionalized by coupling through -SO2,-with ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, and diethylenetriamine to give the corresponding polyamine chelating resins I-III. The solid metallopolymer complexes of the synthesized chelating resins with Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ were synthesized. The polyamine derivatives and their metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, spectral (IR, UV/V, and ESR), and magnetic studies. The batch equilibrium method was utilized for using the chelating polyamines for the removal of Cu+2, Zn+2, Cd+2, and Pb+2 ions from aqueous solutions at different pH values and different shaking times at room temperature. The selective extraction of Cu+2 from a mixture of the four metal ions and the metal capacities of the chelating resins were evaluated using atomic absorption spectroscopy. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.