New polymeric structures obtained by chemical transformations of maleic anhydride/dicyclopentadiene copolymer with triethylenetetraamine, p-aminobenzoic acid, and p-aminophenylacetic acid were used for the removal Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The experimental values prove the importance of the chelator nature and of the macromolecular chain geometry for the retention efficiency. The retention efficiency (eta(r)), the retention capacity (Q(e)), and the distribution coefficient of the metal ion into the polymer matrix (K-d) are realized by evaluation of residual Cu(II) ions in the effluent waters, by atomic adsorption. Also are discussed the influence of pH, the thermal stability of the polymer, and their polymer-metal complex, as well as the particular aspects regarding the contact procedure and the batch time. Based on the polymers and polymer-metal complexes characterization a potential retention mechanism is proposed. All polymer supports as well theirs metal-complexes are characterized by ATD and FTIR measurements. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.