A series of silyl methacrylates [CH2 C (CH3) CO2SiR3] with varying silyl group bulkiness [R3Si: Me3Si, Et3Si, Me2 t BuSi, i Pr3Si, Ph2 t BuSi, Ph3Si, and (Me3Si) 3Si] were synthesized and radically polymerized to efficiently give soluble polymers with the exception of the highly bulky tris (trimethylsilyl) silyl methacrylate (TTMSSMA), which resulted in insoluble polymers. All the polymers can easily be converted into poly (methacrylic acid)( ...