The article presents the syntheses and extraction properties of new lactam ionophores. These lactam derivatives were easily synthesized via aminolysis of 2,2′-methylenebis(4-chlorophenol) dimethylester with corresponding diamine compounds in methanol-dichloromethane solvent systems at one step, respectively. The extraction studies of lactam ionophores were performed toward dichromate anion and alkaline and transition metals such as Li+, Na+, K+, Co2+, Hg2+ and Pb 2+. All the structures of the ionophores were confirmed by spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.