A number of novel polymer complexes of various anions of copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and uranyl(II) with N(4-(acrylamido)-2-hydroxy benzoic acid) (ABH) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic spin resonance, vibrational spectra and thermal analysis. The molecular structures of the ligand are optimized theoretically and the quantum chemical parameters are calculated. Tentative structures for the polymeric metal complexes due to their potential application are also suggested. The IR data exhibit the coordination of ONO₂/OAc/SO₄ with the metal ions in the polymeric metal complex. Vibrational spectra indicate coordination of carboxylate oxygen and phenolic OH of the ligand giving a MO₄ square planar chromophore. Ligand field ESR spectra support square planar geometry around Cu(II). The thermal decomposition of the polymer complexes were discussed in relation to structure, and the thermodynamic parameters of the decomposition stages were evaluated applying Coast–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods.