Abstract: Ion-conductive polymers with high ion conductivity and containing covalently bound ion complexes of one of formulas (IA-IC), wherein M.sup.+ is H.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Na.sup.+, or K.sup.+ ; m is an integer in the range 0-4; m' is an integer in the rage 0-7; m" is an integer in the range 0-8; and each R independently is halogen; --CO--O.sup.-, --CO--O.sup.-, M.sup.+, or --SO.sub.2 --O.sup.-, M.sup.+ ; cyano; nitro; C.sub.1-5 alkoxy; optionally substituted phenyl or phenoxy; --CONR.sup.5 R.sup.6 or --NR.sup.5 R.sup.6 where R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 independently are hydrogen, C.sub.1-5 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, phenylcarbonyl, or C.sub.1-6 alkanoyl; --N(R.sup.6)--CO--R.sup.7 where R.sup.7 is hydrogen, C.sub.1-5 alkyl, C.sub.2-5 alkenyl, C.sub.2-5 alkynyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; R.sup.7 --CO--, R.sup.7 --O--CO--, or R.sup.