The novel polymerizable poly(alkenoic acid) s 1a-1c (expected (M) over bar (n) 52500, 5000, and 10,000 g/mol) were synthesized in three steps starting from tert-butyl acrylate. A RAFT polymerization using 2,2-(thiocarbonylbis(sulfanediyl))bis(2-methylpropanoic acid) 4 as a chain transfer agent, followed by a Mitsunobu esterification and a deprotection of the tert-butyl ester groups with trifluoroacetic acid, provided the desired acidic polymers in moderate to good yields. The synthesized polymers were characterized by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and by gel permeation chromatography. The number-average molecular weights measured for 1a-1c were in good agreement with the expected values. Self-etch adhesives (SEAs) based on poly(alkenoic acid)s 1a-1c were formulated in order to investigate their adhesive properties. The addition of 1a-1c to a SEA formulation containing 10-methacryloyloxydecyl dihydrogen phosphate resulted in a strong increase of the shear bond strength (SBS) of a dimethacrylate-based composite to dentin. No significant influence of the polymer molecular weight on the dentin and enamel SBS was observed. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.