A new chelating resin incorporating 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBZ) into macroporous chloromethylated polystyrene via hydrophilic spacer of polyethylene glycol containing sulfur was synthesized. The resin was characterized by elementary analysis and infrared spectra. The adsorption capacity of the resin for Ag+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ as a function of pH was determined. The effects of interference ions, such as Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+, on percent recovery were also investigated. The results showed that the resin could effectively remove Hg2+ and Ag+ from solutions containing a large excess of Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+. In column operation, it was observed that Hg2+ and Ag+ in trace quantities were effectively removed from binary metal ions. The percent recovery of the resin for Hg2+ and Ag+ was > 98.6%, and > 97.5%, respectively. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.