The free radical copolymerization of 4-(1-methyl-1-mesityl-3-cyclobutyl)-2-N-1, 3-thiazole-2-yl methacrylamide (MCTMA) with 2-[(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)amino]-2-oxo-ethyl methacrylate (IAOEMA) has been carried out in 1, 4-dioxane at 65 degrees C +/- and were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and gel permeation chromatography. H-1-NMR analysis was used to determine the molar fractions of MCTMA and IAOEMA in the copolymers. The monomer-reactivity ratios were calculated according to the general copolymerization equation using Kelen-Tudos and Finemann-Ross linearization methods. The reactivity ratios indicated a tendency toward random copolymerization. The polydispersity indices of the polymers, determined with gel permeation chromatography, suggested a strong tendency for chain termination by disproportionation. The thermal behaviors of copolymers with various compositions were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass-transition temperature of the copolymers increased with increasing MCTMA content in the copolymers. Also, the apparent thermal decomposition activation energies were calculated by the Ozawa method with a Shimadzu TGA 60 thermogravimetric analysis thermobalance. All the products showed moderate activity against different strains of bacteria and fungi. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.