Isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) and isobornyl methacrylate (IBOMA) were used to replace triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as reactive diluents in dental restorative materials. Photopolymerization behaviors of mixtures of IBO(M)A and 2,2-bis[p-(2'-hydroxy-3'-methacryloxy propoxy)phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The degree of conversion, volume shrinkage, contact angle, water sorption, water solubility, flexural strength, and modulus values of the Bis-GMA/IBO(M)A formulations were measured and compared with those of a Bis-GMA/TEGDMA formulation. The results illustrate that the degree of conversion, volume shrinkage, contact angle, water sorption, flexural strength, and modulus values of the Bis-GMA/IBO(M)A systems were all lower than those of the Bis-GMA/TEGDMA system; the water solubility values of the Bis-GMA/IBO(M)A systems were higher than that of the Bis-GMA/TEGDMA system. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012