A new chelating agent bis-2[(O-carbomethoxy)phenoxy]ethylamine has been synthesized using a facile microwave induced process. The ligand was appended on to a crosslinked polystyrene resin XAD-4 and adsorption properties of La(III), Nd(III) and Sm(III) towards this resin were studied. The selectivity sequences of the resin for these metals were in agreement with their stability constants. Pre-concentration of the metals was studied and effect of other ions on the pre-concentration has been analyzed. Lastly, the resin was used for chromatographic separation of La(III) and Nd(III), Nd(III) and Sm(III) mixtures and conditions for the same optimized. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.