8-hydroxy-5-azoquinolinephenylacrylate-formaldehyde (8H5AQPA-F) macromonomer was prepared from acryloylchloride, with condensation products of 8-hydroxy-5-azoquinotinephenol-formaldehyde, and polymerized in DMF at 70 degrees C using benzoyl peroxide as free radical initiator. Poly(8H5AQPA-F) was characterized by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques. Polychelates were obtained in alkaline solution of polymeric ligand, with the aqueous solution of Cu(II) and Ni(II). Elemental analysis of polychelates suggests that the metal to ligand ratio is about 1:2. The polymer metal complexes were also characterized by IR, XRD, magnetic moments, and thermal analysis. The effects of pH and electrolyte on the metal uptake behavior of the resin were also studied. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.