A new functional monomer. methacryloyl isocyanate, containing 3-chloro-1-propanol (CPL-MAI), was prepared in a reaction of methacryloyl isocyanate (MAI) with 3-chloro-1-propanol (CPL) at low temperature and was characterized by IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra, Radical polymerization of CPL-MAI was studied in terms of the rate of polymerization, solvent effect, copolymerization. polymer modification and thermal properties. The rate of polymerization of CPL-MAI has been found to be smaller than that of styrene under the same conditions. Copolymerization of CPL-MAI (M-1) with styrene (M-2) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) was studied at 60 degrees C. The monomer reactivity ratio was calculated to be r(1) = 0.26 and r(2) = 0.33 according to the method of Fineman-Ross. Poly(CPL-MAI) was easily modified by reacting with the sodium salt of carbazole leading to a displacement of 49% conversion. The TG curve for poly(CPL-MAI) is in two stages and shows two maxima peaks at 206 and 416 degrees C. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.