Poly(4-benzyloxyphenylacrylate) and its copolymers with glycidyl methacrylate were synthesized from the monomer, 4-benzyloxyphenylacrylate (4-BOPA) by free radical solution polymerization. The synthesized homopolymers and copolymers were characterized by UV, FTIR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. The thermal stability of the polymers was performed by thermogravimetric analysis in inert atmosphere. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were determined by differential scanning calorimeter. The lap shear strength of the polymers was determined by Universal testing machine. The antibacterial activities of the polymers were also studied by UV spectroscopy. The results of the TGA analysis showed that the polymers possess good stability even beyond 250 degrees C. Different concentrations of the polymer solutions were prepared and tested for their adhesive strength by applying them between leather strips. Thus, the results of the study reveal that the poly(4-benzyloxyphenylacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) has good adhesive strength compared with poly(4-BOPA), which can be used for its adhesive property suitable for high temperature applications, which can also resist the bacterial growth on the applied surface of the material. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012