ABSTRACT:The radical polymerizations of divinyl ether (DVE), cis-propenyl vinyl ether (PVE) and 2-methylpropenyl vinyl ether (CH 3 -PVE) were carried out with AIBN initiator. The polymers were composed of five-membered monocyclic units with pendent unsaturated groups and [3,3,0]bicyclic units. The bicyclization was favored at low monomer concentrations and with methyl-substituted monomers. The microstructures of the polymers were determined by 13 C-NMR spectroscopy, through extensive use of the model compounds. A common cyclopolymerization process has emerged from the data obtained. The monomers react exclusively at the unsubstituted vinyl group, and the trans ring closure produces five-membered monocyclic radicals which then propagate intermolecularly or cyclize to give trans-fused bicyclic units.KEY WORDS 13 C-NMR Spectroscopy I Cyclopolymerization I Poly-(divinyl ether) 1 Poly(cis-propenyl vinyl ether) 1 Poly(2-methylpropenyl vinyl ether)