Glycidyl methacrylate resins with different ratios of divinylbenzene as cross-linking agent have been prepared. The textural properties such as density, porosity, pore area and pore diameter of the resins obtained were elucidated. The resins were anchored by chelating amino groups through the treatment with ethylenediamine (en). The amino group concentration on the resins was determined. The uptake behaviour of Cu(II) and Pb(II) from their aqueous solutions by the resins was studied. Both uptake capacity and selectivity of the resins towards the studied metal ions were discussed in terms of amino group concentration as well as the textural properties. The study indicated that metal-resin interaction proceeds via surface and diffusion mechanisms. The PH 5.8 found to be the most suitable for the uptake of the investigated metal ions. Copper was selectively separated from lead (using resin RI-en). The studied resins showed good durability and regeneration using HNO3. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.