Urea-isobutyraldehyde-formaldehyde (UIF) resins were synthesized using urea, isobutyraldehyde, and formaldehyde; sulfuric acid was used as a catalyst. The effects of molar ratio of urea/isobutyraldehyde/ formaldehyde (U/I/F) on the properties of resins were investigated, and the structures of the resins were characterized by FTIR, 1 H-NMR, and 13 C-NMR. When U/I/F was 1.0/3.6/2.4, the yield of the resin was 76.5%. The softening point and hydroxyl value were 90°C and 32 mg KOH/g, respectively. The FTIR, 1 H-NMR, and 13 C-NMR results showed that an a-ureidoalkylation reaction occurred between urea and isobutyraldehyde to form a lactam. The UIF resins also contained hydroxyl groups and aldehyde groups; the content of aldehyde groups in the resin increased as the amount of isobutyraldehyde increased.