Stereospecific-isospecific, syndiospecific, and diastereospecific-polymerizations of methacrylates using group 4 metallocene and related catalysts produce polymethacrylates with controlled stereo-microstructures. The versatility and stereospecificity of these catalysts for methyl methacrylate polymerization were demonstrated not only in solution-phase polymerization, but also in polymerizations on silica surfaces and inside silicate nanogalleries. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.