A series of six near-monodisperse methacrylic macromonomers is prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate using a tertiary amine-functionalized initiator at 50 degrees C, followed by quaternization with excess 4-vinylbenzyl chloride at 20 degrees C. GPC analyses indicate polydispersities of around 1.20 and their mean degrees of polymerization (DP) range from 20 to 70, as judged by both H-1 NMR and UV spectroscopy. The former technique is more convenient but the latter proved more accurate for the higher DP values, provided that an appropriate model compound is utilized for calibration. Finally, these new macromonomers are used to prepare sterically stabilized polystyrene latexes with relatively narrow size distributions via alcoholic dispersion polymerization.