The synthesis and radical polymerization of 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]propy monoacrylate are described. The values found at 50 and 60 degrees C for the rate constants ratio, k(p)/k(t)(1/2), are similar to those reported for some acrylic polymers with short side groups at the same temperatures although conflicting results are obtained by comparison with the kinetic constants reported for other similar acrylic monomers. The experimental value of the mean-square dipole moment per repeating unit of the resulting polymer poly{2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl] monoacrylate} was 7.24 D-2 at 30 degrees C. This result is very close to the value of 1.83 D-2 found; at the same temperature, for the model compound of the side group of the polymer, 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]propyl monoacetate. Owing to the wide distribution of dipole moments associated with the side groups, the dipolar correlation coefficient of the chains was calculated by combining matricial products of the rotational isomeric state model and Monte Carlo techniques. The calculations suggest that the statistics of long side groups rather than the statistics of the main chain govern the dipolar correlation coefficient of atactic comblike polymers.