Six novel acidic monomers were synthesized in three to six steps, starting from thioglycerol. Four phosphonic acids, a dihydrogen phosphate, and a bisphosphonic acid were prepared. They were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, 31 P-NMR spectroscopy, and by HRMS. Their free radical polymerization was carried out in a water/ethanol solution, using 2,2 0 -azobis(2methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride as an initiator. Photopolymerization of these acidic monomers as well as of their corresponding diethyl phosphonates and phosphates was investigated using photo-DSC. Self-etch adhesives were formulated and used to mediate a bond between the dental hard tissues and a composite. Dentin and enamel shear bond strength tests showed that each acidic monomer was able to provide a good adhesion. The adhesive based on the bisphosphonic acid monomer led to the best adherence.Excepted for the preparation of compounds 2c, 7, 9, 13, 14, and 16, all reactions were carried out under an argon atmosphere. DCM and MeOH were dried over molecular sieves. Diethyl 6,7-dihydroxy-4thia-heptylphosphonate 2a, [18] diethyl 4-bromobutylphosphonate 1b, [19] diethyl 6-bromohexylphosphonate 1c, [20] and di-tert-butyl phosphate [21] were prepared according to the literature. Methacrylic anhydride was purchased from Evonik (Germany). All other reagents used in the syntheses were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Switzerland) and were used without further purification. TMSBr and methacrylic anhydride were distilled prior to use. Column chromatographies were performed on Macherey-Nagel silica gel 60 (40-63 mm). Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on silica gel 60 F-254 plates. Bis-GMA (Esschem, USA), Figure 1. Structure of the monomers 4a-c, 6, 11, and 16.H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ): d ¼ 1.31 (t, 3 J HH ¼ 7.1 Hz, 6H, OCH 2 CH 3 ); 1.63-1.79 (m, 6H, CH 2 P, CH 2 CH 2 P, and CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 P); 1.90-1.95 (m, 6H, CH 3 C¼CH 2 ); 2.54-2.63 (m, 2H, CH 2 CH 2 S); 2.76 (d, 3 J HH ¼ 6.6 Hz, 2H, SCH 2 CH); 4.01-4.16 (m, 4H, OCH 2 CH 3 ); 4.33 (dd, 3 J HH ¼ 6.0 Hz, 2 J HH ¼ 12.0 Hz, 1H, OCH 2 CH); 4.46 (dd, 3 J HH ¼ 3.5 Hz, 2 J HH ¼ 12.0 Hz, 1H, OCH 2 CH); 5.19-5.27 (m, 1H, CHO); 5.56-5.60 (m, 2H, C¼CH 2 ); 6.09 (ls, 1H, C¼CH 2 ); 6.10 (ls, 1H, C¼CH 2 ). 31 P NMR (162 MHz, CDCl 3 ): d ¼ 31.7. 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ): d ¼ 16.5 (d, 3 J CP ¼ 5.8 Hz, OCH 2 CH 3 ); 18.2 (CH 3 C¼CH 2 ); 21.6 (d, 2 J CP ¼ 4.7 Hz, CH 2 CH 2 P); 25.2 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ): d ¼ 1.33 (t, 3 J HH ¼ 7.1 Hz, 12H, OCH 2 CH 3 ); 1.34-1.44 (m, 2H, CH 2 ); 1.52-1.65 (m, 4H, CH 2 ); 1.81-1.99 (m, 8H, CH 2 , and CH 3 C¼CH 2 ); 2.25 (tt, 3 J HH ¼ 6.0 Hz , 2 J HP ¼ 24.1 Hz, 1H, CHP 2 ); 2.57 (t, 3 J HH ¼ 6.8 Hz, 2H, CH 2 CH 2 S); 2.76 (d, 3 J HH ¼ 6.6 Hz, 2H, CHCH 2 S); 4.11-4.22 (m, 8H, OCH 2 CH 3 ); 4.34 (dd, 3 J HH ¼ 6.0 Hz, 2 J HH ¼ 11.9 Hz, 1H, CHCH 2 O); 4.47 (dd, 3 J HH ¼ 3.4 Hz, 2 J HH ¼ 11.9 Hz, 1H, CHCH 2 O); 5.19-5.27 (m, 1H, CHO); 5.56-5.61 (m, 2H, C¼CH 2 ); 6.07-6.12 (m, 2H, C¼CH 2 ). 31 P NMR (162 MHz, CDCl 3 ): d ¼ 24.0. Scheme 3. Synthesis of the acidic monomer 11. Scheme 4. Syn...