8-Methacryloxyquinoline (MAQ) was prepared through the reaction of 8-hydroxyquinoline with either methacryloyl chloride or methacrylic acid in the presence of triethylamine or N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, respectively. MAQ was polymerized in dimethylformamide with 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator. The reactions of the resulting polymers with hydroxyl and amino compounds were studied. The polymers were characterized with IR, (1)H-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Some of the synthesized polymers were tested for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Generally, all the polymers were effective against the tested microorganisms, but their growth-inhibition effects varied. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 1160-1165, 2011