Emulsion polymerizations of dodecyl and octadecyl methacrylate were carried out using a conventional water soluble initiator and sulphonate surfactant in the presence of beta cyclodextrin. For the first time stable latices that were taken to high conversion of monomer were produced, it is thought that beta cyclodextrin enhances the water solubility of these highly water insoluble monomers, so that the ease of transport of the monomer across the aqueous phase to the loci of polymerization is improved. Absence of sulphonate surfactant resulted in gross coagulation during polymerization.