Acrylic groups containing phosphonic acids were synthesized by ether format
ion of ethyl alpha -chloromethylacrylate with hydroxyalkyl phosphonates and
subsequent hydrolysis to the corresponding phosphonic acid alpha -methylsu
bstituted acrylates, Furthermore, phosphonic acids derived from acrylonitri
le and acrylamide were synthesized. The monomers are hydrolytically stable
in aqueous ethanol. The radical polymerization of the monofunctional phosph
onic acids results in water soluble polymers, whereas in case of a phosphon
ic acid diacrylate a cross-linked polymer was formed. The most radical poly
merizable phosphonic acids can be used to promote the adhesion to dentin.