Reactions of parabanic acid with ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or glycerin epichlorohydrin were studied at the initial molar ratios of reagent ranging from 1 : 1 to 1 : 8. The effects of catalyst presence and temperature on the course of reaction were analyzed. The conditions were established at which the parabanic acid ring was preserved and those at which it opened to form polymeric products. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.