A number of metal-polymer complex catalysts on the base of cross-linked polyethyleneimine with copper or nickel ions were prepared using the principle of prearrangement of polymer to complexing metal ions. The investigation demonstrated a high activity of prearranged complexes of copper(II) in the oxidation of sulfide by oxygen under mild conditions compared to complexes with nickel(II) and cobalt(II). It has been shown that the activity of heterogeneous copper(II) containing polymer catalysts prearranged for copper(II) is comparable to the commercially employed water soluble cobalt(II) phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.