A copper (II)-bound polymeric ligand exchanger named WH-425-Cu was prepared by loading Cu(2+) onto poly (4-vinylpyridine) resin. The performance of WH-425-Cu as the ligand exchanger to remove arsenate [As (V)] from aqueous solution was also investigated by using static equilibrium and dynamic adsorption experiments. Results of static experiments indicated that WH-425-Cu had higher adsorption selectivity for As (V) than other ubiquitous anions in nature water body such as SO(4)(2-), Cl(-), SiO(3)(2-), and PO(4)(3-). The optimal pH for adsorption of As (V) on WH-425-Cu was in the range of 6.0-8.0. The As (V) adsorbed on WH-425-Cu could be easily eluted with 7BV of 6% NaCl solution (at pH = 9.0) with elution efficiency above 99%. The prepared WH-425-Cu could be used as a highly selective and reusable ligand exchanger for selective removal of As (V) from water. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.