Structural, molecular, and hydrodynamic characteristics of thermostable functionalized polymers [polyamic acids (PAAs) with biquinoline chelate groups in the main chain] were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography. Size exclusion mechanism of chromatography in conditions including suppression of polyelectrolyte swelling and ion-exclusion effects was proved. The influence of molecular and structural characteristics of PAAs on their ability to form metal–polymer complexes (MPCs) with copper(I) chloride was studied. The critical polymer concentration at which binding of two PAA macromolecules with Cu⁺ ion takes place to form MPCs was estimated.