Narrow-dispersed and nanoporous poly(melamine-formaldehyde) particles were prepared by aqueous dispersion polymerization using silica particles as template. The synthesis parameters were optimized towards uniform particles sizes and ideal template performance toward high surface areas. Nitrogen sorption measurements confirmed the 12 nm sized mesopores and a specific surface area of up to 400 m(2) g(-1). The particles sizes and the template distribution were investigated by SEM, TEM, and laser diffraction measurements. The particles were investigated for their oxyanion adsorption properties in dependency of the pH in the water. The preliminary results obtained from the adsorption experiments make nanoporous poly(melamine-formaldehyde) particles a promising candidate for the capture of oxyanions and potentially also for other ions in waste water.