Compounds of vinylacetic acid with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) have been prepared in aqueous solution. The cobalt, nickel and copper compounds have stoichiometrY M(C4H5O2)2H2O while the zinc compound has stoichiometry Zn(C4H5O2)2. The compounds have polymeric structures. Thermal decomposition studies on the compounds show that those compounds which are hydrated lose a water molecule followed by the organic ligand to give the metal oxide. The zinc compound forms an intermediate compound before decomposing to the metal oxide.