A novel polymeric Schiff base was synthesized by the reaction of a Schiff base from 2,4-dihydroxy benzaldehyde and aniline with acryloyl chloride and was polymerized in methyl ethyl ketone at 70degreesC with benzoyl peroxide as a free-radical initiator. Polychelates were obtained in an alkaline solution of poly(2-hydroxy-4-acryloyloxy-N-phenylbenzylidine) with aqueous solutions of metal ions such as Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Ca(II), Cd(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II). The polymeric Schiff base and polychelates were characterized with elemental analysis and spectral studies. The elemental analysis of the polychelates suggested that the metal-to-ligand ratio was 1:2. The IR spectral data of the polychelates indicated that the metals were coordinated through the nitrogen and oxygen of the phenolic -OH group. Diffuse reflectance spectra, electron paramagnetic resonance, and magnetic moment studies revealed that the polychelates of the Cu(II) complex were squareplanar, those of the Ni(II), Mn(II), and Co(II) complexes were octahedral, and those of the Ca(H), Cd(II), and Zn(II) complexes were tetrahedral. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the polychelates were highly crystalline. The thermal properties of the Schiff base and polychelates were also examined. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, fnc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 494-500, 2004.