New polymers were used as catalysts for the removal of dissolved oxygen in boiler water. These polymers, based upon hydroquinone-quinone redox system, were prepared by polymerization of methyl 4-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)cinnamate and copolymerization of this monomer with 4-(4'-vinylphenethyl)-1,10-phenanthroline. The resulting product was used to synthesize polymers containing transition metal ions. Nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analysis were achieved to characterize monomers and/or electron-transfer polymers. These polymers were used for the removal of oxygen from water. It was shown that the oxygen content was reduced to less than 0.1 mg L-1 in similar to 70 s. Based on the obtained results, the redox capacity of two polymers were determined. It was established that the poly-4-(2,5-dihydroxybenzyl)cinnamic acid reached a redox capacity of 69.7 mg of O-2 per gram of polymer. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 118: 7-16, 2010