Melamine-formaldehyde-polyvinylpyrrolidone (MFP) polymer resin was prepared with 1 : 16 : 1 ratios of melamine, formaldehyde (CH2O), and polyvinylpyrrolidone amounts, respectively, by condensation polymerization at 6.9 pH. Structures were determined with IR, H-1-NMR, and C-13-NMR spectroscopies. Chemical shifts (delta, ppm) were analyzed with singlet at delta 4.5, duplet from 3.13 to 3.17 and a quartet at 1.5 to 2.2 ppm for methylene (-CH2-) bridging group, pyrrolidone and polyvinyl constituents. The 3389.25, 1290.38, and 1655.28 cm(-1) stretching frequencies of -N=, -CH- and -C-O-O- groups, respectively, were noted on FTIR spectrum. The -C=N-melamine units reacted with CH2O to adjoin with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). An average viscosity molecular weight ((M) over bar (v)) 57,000 g mol(-1) was obtained with Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation. The chemical shift of -N(CH2O)(2)-C-pyrrolidone ring on C-13-NMR spectra was shifted toward lower magnetic field at 175.18 ppm. The resin was partially miscible with water thereby densities and viscosities of aqueous solutions were measured at 298.15 K temperature. It showed higher densities and viscosities than those of water. The resin developed exceptionally higher adhesive strengthen when its 62.29-mu m uniform thin film was applied on surfaces of wooden strips. The resin showed micellar behavior at about 0.009 g/100 mL aqueous solution. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 114: 1870-1878, 2009