A novel template monomer with multiple methacryloyl groups was synthesized with beta -cyclodextrin by the acetylation of primary hydroxyl groups and the esterification of secondary hydroxyl groups with methacrylic acid anhydride. The average number of methacryloyl groups in the monomer was 11. The radical polymerization of the monomer was carried out with the following initiators: alpha,alpha'-azobisisobutylonitrile, H2O2-Fe2+ redox initiator, p-xylyl-N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (XDC), and alpha -bromo-p-xylyl-N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamate (BXDC). When the concentration of the monomer was less than 4.12 x 10(-3) M, polymerization was limited inside the molecule, and gelation of the system was hindered. For controlled radical photopolymerization with XDC and BXDC, the methacryloyl groups of the monomer were homogeneously polymerized, and poly(methacrylic acid) with a narrow molecular weight distribution was obtained by the hydrolysis of the polymerized products.