as Z2 species) were synthesized by controlled quaternization of their diamino (A2) precursors with 2,2-dicyanoketene ethylene acetal (DCKEA). In absence of a spacer group (p = q = 0), free radical polymerization in homogeneous dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution is possible only for the AZ monomer but not for the Z2 one, as a result of steric hindrance in the latter case. In presence of a spacer group (p = 0, q = 1 and p = q = 1), polymerization of the Z2 monomers readily leads to high molecular weight polymers (degree of polymerization DP w A 10 3 ). The poly(dizwitterionic methacrylate) bearing the longer spacer group (p = q = 1) displays specific solution and bulk properties: a) solubility either in highly dipolar aprotic solvents with lower critical solution temperatures (N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC): 54 8C) and a "salting-in" effect of LiCl or in concentrated aqueous NaSCN solutions (L 3 mol N L