A new type of methacrylate monomer, [2-oxo-2-(4-acetyl) phenyl amino] ethylene methacrylate (APEMA), was synthesized. The oxime, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone, and thiosemicarbazone derivatives of poly( [2-oxo-2-(4-acetyl) phenyl amino] ethylene methacrylate) [poly(APEMA)] were prepared with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, and thiosemicarbazone hydrochloride, respectively. The radical homopolymerization of APEMA was performed at 65 degreesC in a 1,4-dioxane solution with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator. The monomer and its homopolymer were characterized with Fourier transform infrared and NMR techniques. The thermal stabilities of poly(APEMA) and its derivatives were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The ultraviolet stability of the polymers were compared. The solubility and inherent viscosity of the polymers were also determined. The number-average and weight-average molecular weights and polydispersity index of the polymers were determined with gel permeation chromatography. The antibacterial and antifungal effects of the monomer and the polymer and its derivatives were also investigated on various bacteria and fungi. The activation energies of the thermal degradation of the polymers were calculated with the Ozawa method. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.