AbstractSynthesis and free radical polymerization of 1‐(4‐methacryloylaminophenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one(2), 1‐[4‐(6‐methacryloylaminohexanoylamino)phenyl]‐3‐phenyl‐2‐propen‐1‐one(7)and 1‐[4‐(11‐methacryloylaminoundecanoylamino)phenyl]‐2‐propen‐1‐one(8)are described. The monomers and a model compound(1)were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The corresponding homopolymers(9–11)and a copolymer with methyl methacrylate(12)were characterized by DSC, GPC and TG analysis and also spectroscopically. Furthermore, the kinetics ofE/Z‐isomerisations and [2 + 2] cycloadditions of chalcone functions i