The complexes of poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) (poly(MVE-alt-MA)) with Zn(II), Mn(II) and Cu(II) ions were synthesized from the reaction of the aqueous solution of copolymer and metal(II) chlorides at different temperatures ranging from 25 • to 40 • C. Elemental analysis of the metal-polymer complexes suggests that the metal to ligand ratio is 1:1. The formation constants of each complex were determined by the mol-ratio method. UV-Vis studies showed that the complex formation tendency increased in the following order: Zn(II) > Cu(II) > Mn(II). This order was confirmed by the Irving-William series and Pearson's classification. The IR spectral data indicated the metal ions to be coordinated through the hydroxyl groups of the hydrolysed maleic anhydride. The intrinsic viscosity and thermal properties of the copolymer and metal-polymer complexes and their thermal stability are discussed.