In this article, synthesis and characterization of triazole-based polyimides for solid-phase extraction of metal cations is described. For this purpose, new aromatic diamines containing 1,2,4-triazole and substituted 1,2-diaryl quinoxaline units were synthesized and used in polycondensation reaction with aromatic dianhydrates to yield poly(triazole-imide)s (PTAI)s. These polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0,58-0.62 dL/g and were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents; they formed low-colored and tough thin films via solution casting. The PTAIs exhibited T-g between 280 and 338 degrees C, and their 10% weight loss temperatures were in excess of 540 degrees C with up to 76% char yield at 700 degrees C in N-2. These polymers emitted green or blue fluorescence in dilute NMP solution and in the solid state. The triazole groups in the polymer chain were efficient chelating/host units for heavy metal ions. One of these polymers, PTAI(1b), was investigated for its extraction capability for environmentally deleterious metal ions such as Cr-VI, COIII, Co-II, Zn-II, Pb-II, Cd-II, Hg-II and Mn-II from aqueous solutions either individually or in the mixture and at different pH values. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.