Halatopolymers belong to a group of ion-containing materials that display both salt- and polymer-like properties. Their mode of synthesis and other characteristics have been widely reported. This work considers the various reports as defined by both polymeric structure and by the metal ions involved in formation. Also provided are data on other characteristics by which this group of materials can be identified. Synthesis of simple nonpolymeric backbone structures can give highly crystalline salts, which become more amorphous after thermal treatment. While the polymeric backbone-structured halatopolymers are soluble, the nonpolymeric backbone counterparts are generally insoluble. The halatopolymers exhibit relatively high thermal stabilities.