A polymer-metal complex is a metal complex containing a polymer ligand, showing a remarkably specific structure in which central metal ions are surrounded by a colossal polymer chain. Based on this polymeric ligand, the polymer-metal complex has interesting and important characteristics, especially catalytic activities. This activity is different from that of the corresponding ordinary metal complex of low molecular weight. In this work we studied the synthesis and characterization, in the solid state, of different poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-cobalt (PVP/Co) and -copper (PVP/Cu) complexes. We used differential thermal analysis and FTIR as the experimental techniques. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.