4,4'-Bis(maleimidodiphenyl) methane (BM) and divinylbenzene (DVB) copolymers with different compositions were used for production of carbons by carbonization and phosphoric acid activation. It has been shown that both BM and DVB polymers are good carbon precursors which show the same potential to produce carbonaceous material. However, despite cross-linked nature of all polymers, BM softens before formation of coke giving non-porous material. Phosphoric acid activation of polymer precursor increased the yield, surface area and pore volume as compared to acid-free heat treatment. Phosphoric acid activation of polymer precursor resulted in carbon material containing 6-8% of phosphorus and considerable amount of surface acidic groups of four types (total 2.6-3.2 mmol/g) which are responsible for metal ion adsorption from aqueous solutions. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V.. All rights reserved.