Coordination polymers containing bisphenol-A, formaldehyde, and transition metal complexes of ethylenediamine [M(en)(2)] were synthesized by the reaction of bisphenol-A, formaldehyde, and M(en)(2) complex in alkaline medium, using M for Fe+3, Co+2, Ni+2, Cu+2, and Zn+2. The materials were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV-Vis, H-1-NMR spectra, TGA, and magnetic susceptibility measurement. The geometry of the central metal ions was determined by electronic spectral studies and magnetic moment measurement. The M-N and C-N bonds were confirmed by the IR spectra of the polychelates. The H-1-NMR spectra of the chelating resins confirmed polycondensation with well-defined peaks for bridging methylene functions. Complexation studies with transition metal ions revealed effective coordination of the bisphenol-A formaldehyde resin. The antimicrobial activities of these chelated resins were screened against E. coli, S. dysantrea (bacteria), and C. albicans, A. niger (fungi) by using agar well diffusion method. All the polymeric chelates show promising antimicrobial activities. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 119: 1251-1258, 2011