A series of novel hyper-cross-linked resins were synthesized from macroporous cross-linked chloromethylated poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) by adding different dosage of hydroquinone in Friedel-Crafts reaction. The results of the pore structures revealed that the prepared resins possessed micropores, mesopores and macropores, and the chloromethyl groups and the uploaded hydroquinone were partly oxidized according to the results of Fourier-transformed infrared ray spectra. Among these hydroquinone modified resins, HJ-Y06 resin held the largest adsorption capacity for beta-naphthol, and its adsorption capacity was comparable with XAD-4 while much larger than X-5. The adsorption kinetics could be characterized by pseudo-second-order rate equation and intra-particle diffusion model was the rate-limiting step at the initial process. The adsorption was favorable at solution pH lower than 6.5. The adsorption isotherms could be fitted by Langmuir model and the adsorption was an endothermic process. Hydrogen bonding between formaldehyde carbonyl and quinone carbonyl groups on HJ-Y06 and phenolic hydroxyl groups of beta-naphthol was the main driving force for the adsorption. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.