Nine new [metal : uric acid] complexes [M(Ua) n ] Á XH 2 O have been synthesized. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diraction (XRD), magnetic susceptibility ( e. ), FTIR spectra, thermal analysis (TG & DTA), and electronic spectra (UV/ visible). Uric acid (HUa) coordinates as a bidentate ligand to Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Al(III), Cr(III) and Fe(III) through the protonated N-7 within the imidazole ring and O-6 within the pyrimidine ring. Uric acid forms neutral metal urate complexes with all the above metal ions. The quantitative compositions were determined as [M(Ua) 2 Á (H 2 O) 2 ] Á XH 2 O where M(II) Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and X 2, 4, 2, 4, 2, 2, respectively. The M(II) complexes exhibit an isostructural octahedral coordination with N-7, O-6 of two uric acid ligand molecules, and O of two water molecules. Compositions were also determined as [M(Ua) 3 ] Á YH 2 O where M(III) Al, Cr, Fe and Y 6, 3, 3 respectively. All the M(III) complexes form an isostructural octahedral coordination with N-7 and O-6 of three uric acid ligand molecules. Iron(III) complexes prepared with N 1 , N 3 and N 9 -methyl uric acid yielded brown complexes with a metal : ligand ratio of 1 : 3, while N 7 -methyl uric acid did not yield a complex due to blockage of N-7 with a methyl group.