Abstract
The scientific-technical and patent literature on the synthesis of hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids by their catalytic reaction with epoxyalkanes, by the radical copolymerisation and polymerisation of presynthesised monomeric esters, and also by the chemical modification of polymerisation and copolymerisation products is surveyed. A wide variety of physicochemical properties of the polymers and copolymers based on the hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic and methacrylic acids are described. The principal trends and prospects in the application of the high-molecular-weight products obtained in various branches of the national economy are indicated. The bibliography includes 158 references.