AbstractA new monomer, N‐acryloylbenzhydrazide was synthesized and its polymerizability was investigated. The monomer is easily polymerized by radical as well as by anionic initiators, but not by cationic ones. A possibility of hydrogen transfer polymerization by an anionic mechanism is suggested. γ‐Ray irradiation is also an effective way to polymerize the monomer in the solid state. Monomer reactivity ratios for radical copolymerization of the monomer with styrene and acrylonitrile are r1= 1.40 ± 0.05, r2= 0.65 ± 0.05 and r1= 0.33 ± 0.08, r2= 0.23 ± 0.08, respectively, where M1is styrene or acrylonitrile.The polymer forms stable chelates with transition metal ions, in particular with cupric ion, when the polymer is suspended in methanol containing metal salts, indicating a possibility of application as a selective cation scavengi