Two synthetic routes to polymeric 1-imino pyridinium ylides as new photoreactive polymeric architectures were investigated. In the first approach, polymerization of newly synthesized 1-imino pyridinium ylide containing monomers yielding their polymeric analogues was achieved by free radical polymerization. Alternatively, reactive precursor polymers were synthesized and converted into the respective 1-imino pyridinium ylide polymers by polymer analogous reactions on reactive precursor polymers. Quantitative conversion of the reactive groups was achieved with pentafluorophenyl ester containing polymers and newly synthesized photoreactive amines as well as by the reaction of poly(4-vinylbenzoyl azide) with a photoreactive alcohol. The polymers obtained by both routes were examined regarding their photoreaction products and kinetics in solution as well as in thin polymer films. Contact angle measurements of water on the polymer films before and after irradiation showed dramatic changes in the hydrophilicity of the polymers. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 832-844, 2010