Polymer architectures containing metal-ligands in their side chain represent a diverse approach to generating multi-functional materials. The ability to define a versatile synthetic platform will enable many chemistries and architectures to be studied. This report describes our latest efforts to prepare these unique polymers by either a direct polymerization of, functionalized monomers or a post-polymerization attachment. Random and block copolymers have been successfully prepared. Subsequent functionalization with metal ions leads to a variety of properties including metal induced gelation and solvochromic sensors. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.