4-Acetyl-3-hydroxyphenylacrylate (AHAH) was synthesized and polymerized in 2-butanone using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Poly(4-acetyl-3-hydroxyphenyl-acrylate) (PAHAH) was characterized by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The molecular weight of the polymer was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Cu(II) and Ni(II) chelates of PAHAH were synthesized. The diffuse reflectance spectra and magnetic moments of the polychelates show distorted planar and octahedral structures for poly[Ni(AHA)2] and poly[Cu(AHA)2(OH2)2] complexes, respectively. The thermal properties of the polychelates are also discussed.