Synthesis and properties of the new aromatic tetrafunctional methacrylate monomer 1,3-di(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)benzene are presented. This monomer was applied for the synthesis of porous microspberes. It was copolymerized with trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate in the presence of pore-forming diluents, decan-1-ol and chlorobenzene. Influence of diluents composition on their porous structures was studied. Thermal resistance and tendency to swell in different organic diluents for a chosen sample were also determined. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3190-3201, 2009