Statistical glycopolymers based on gluconolactone have been prepared by classical radical polymerization and followed by 1 H NMR in situ. The kinetic behavior of this system in terms of global rate constant has been qualitatively studied. The variation of cumulative feed and copolymer composition with conversion has also been analyzed, showing a diminishment of both as the reaction progresses. The monomer reactivity ratios have been estimated using the Mayo-Lewis terminal model and extended Kelen-Tü dö s equation, being r HEMAG ¼ 1.41 6 0.06 and r MA ¼ 0.42 6 0.05. The thermal properties have been examined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. The glass transition and the thermal degradation temperatures of glycopolymers increase as hydrophilic component decreases. In addition, the solution properties of the water-soluble glycopolymers have been investigated, observing the formation of small micelles. Finally, the potential of these glycopolymers as polymeric surfactants has been proved by the performance of emulsion polymerization of methyl acrylate. The resulting particles are stable and with low polydispersity, decreasing the particle size as the methyl acrylate content increases in the glycopolymer surfactant. V C 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: [526][527][528][529][530][531][532][533][534][535][536] 2011