Calcium diacrylate (CDA) and calcium dimethacrylate (CDM) divinyl monomers were synthesized by a solvo thermal method. The FTIR spectra showed a peak at 1650 cm(-1) due to the presence of a C=C for both CDA and CDM. Proton NMR and carbon NMR confirmed the structure of CDA and CDM synthesized by a solvo thermal method. DSC determined the melting temperatures of CDA and CDM. XRD indicated the presence of a d(110) plane peak for CDA and CDM. The % weight residue that remained above 700 degrees C in TGA method confirmed the higher thermal stability of CDA. Thus, synthesized CDA and CDM were surface grafted on linear low density poly(ethylene) (LLDPE) at 160 degrees C under inert atmosphere by thermolysis method. FTIR confirmed the presence of C=O stretching due to CDA and CDM in LLDPE backbone after thermolysis reaction. H-1-NMR confirmed the chemical grafting of CDM onto LLDPE. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 115: 2582-2590, 2010