Poly (acryloyl-p-chlorobenzoic hydrazide) and its complexes with some transition metal chlorides and acetates were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, electronic and vibration spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. Poly (acryloyl-p-chlorobenzoic hydrazide) reacted with Fe(III), Co(II) and Cu(II) chlorides and Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) acetates in 1:1 (metal:ligand) molar ratio, and with Ni(II) chloride in 1:2, but with NI(II) acetate in 2:1 (metal:ligand) molar ratio. The thermal stability was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the polymer complexes are more stable than the homopolymer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.