In this article, modified polyurethane prepolymer was synthesized by segmental synthesis method using isophorone diisocyanate, hydroxyl‐terminated silicone, polyether glycol dimethylolpropionic acid as raw materials. After that, pectiniform polycarboxylate, of which side chains were in roughly the same polymerization degree and main chains were in different lengths, was synthesized at room temperature in initiation system of hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid, and persulfate. Moreover, influence of various factors on the synthesis of polyurethane‐modified polycarboxylate at room temperature was discussed in detail and optimal synthesis process was determined. Results showed that redox initiation system, increasing initiator and monomer concentration, and extending reaction time needed to be adopted to complete the reaction. However, when the reaction time was over 4 h, water reducing of polycarboxylate declined rapidly. In addition, it could be found in Fourier transform infrared spectrum analysis that the CC double bonds in acrylic acid were opened and polymerized, macromolecular chain segments were successfully connected to polyoxyethylene chain segment, and resulting polycarboxylic acid molecule contained hydroxy, carboxyl, methyl, ester group, and other groups. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45873.