Fe(0) was firstly used as single-electron transfer-living radical polymerization catalyst for acrylonitrile polymerization using carbon tetrachloride as initiator, hexamethylenetetramine as N-ligand, and N,N-dimethylformamide as the solvent at 65 degrees C. First-order kinetic studies indicated that this polymerization proceeded in a "living"/controlled manner. The living nature of the polymerization was also confirmed by chain extension of methyl methacrylate with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as macroinitiator. Furthermore, PAN was modified with NH(2)OH center dot HCl to generate amidoxime groups for extraction of heavy metal ions (Hg(2+)) from aqueous solutions. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy was performed to characterize chemical composition and structure. The adsorption property of Hg(2+) was investigated at different pH values of aqueous solutions and distilled water. The maximal saturated adsorption capacity of Hg(2+) was 4.8 mmol g(-1). (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 2916-2923, 2011