AbstractMelamine–formaldehyde–polyvinylpyrrolidone (MFP) polymer resin was prepared with 1 : 16 : 1 ratios of melamine, formaldehyde (CH2O), and polyvinylpyrrolidone amounts, respectively, by condensation polymerization at 6.9 pH. Structures were determined with IR, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectroscopies. Chemical shifts (δ, ppm) were analyzed with singlet at δ 4.5, duplet from 3.13 to 3.17 and a quartet at 1.5 to 2.2 ppm for methylene (CH2) bridging group, pyrrolidone, and polyvinyl constituents. The 3389.25, 1290.38, and 1655.28 cm−1 stretching frequencies of N, CH and COO groups, respectively, were noted on FTIR spectrum. The CN melamine units reacted with CH2O to adjoin with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). An average viscosity molecular weight ($\bar{M}$v) 57,000 g mol−1 was obtained with Mark–Houwink–Sakurada equation. The chemical shift of N(CH2O)2Cpyrrolidone ring on 13C‐NMR spectra was shifted toward lower magnetic field at 175.18 ppm. The resin was partially miscible with water thereby densities and viscosities of aqueous solutions were measured at 298.15 K temperature. It showed higher densities and viscosities than those of water. The resin developed exceptionally higher adhesive strengthen when its 62.29‐μm uniform thin film was applied on surfaces of wooden strips. The resin showed micellar behavior at about 0.009 g/100 mL aqueous solution. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009