A series of copper(II) polymer complexes (1-4) of 3-allyl-5-(4nitrophenylazo)-2-thioxothiazolidine-4-one (HL) were synthesized and characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. Infrared spectral data indicate that the copper ion is coordinated through the oxygen atom of the carbonyl group and the nitrogen atom of the hydrazone group. Magnetic moment and electron spin resonance studies indicate a square planar geometry for the Cu(II) polymer complexes. The polymer complex 4 is polycrystalline with a high degree of crystallinity compared with polymer complexes 1-3. The affinity of polymer complexes 1-4 to calf thymus DNA was determined through UV-visible DNA binding titration, with intrinsic binding constants of 3.09 × 10 5 , 4.76 × 10 5 , 5.19 × 10 4 and 9.22 × 10 5 M −1 for 1-4, respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of 3-allyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one, HL and Cu(II) polymer complexes 1-4 were investigated. Polymer complex 4 has greater antibacterial activity than 3-allyl-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one, HL and Cu(II) polymer complexes 1-3 against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium. The thermal activation energy of decomposition of the polymer complexes decreases in the order 2 > 1 > 3. This is consistent with the order of the strength of metal-anion interactions, i.e. NO 3 − >Cl − >CH 3 COO − .