Statistical copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DEA) were synthesized at 50 degreesC by free-radical copolymerization in bulk and in a 3 mol L-1 N,N'-dimethylformamide solution with 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The solvent effect on the apparent monomer reactivity ratios was attributed to the different aggregation states of HEMA monomer in the different solvents. The copolymers obtained were water-insoluble at a neutral pH but soluble in an acidic medium when the molar fraction of the DEA content was higher than 0.5. The quaternization of DEA residues increased the hydrophilic character of the copolymers, and they became water-soluble at a neutral pH when the HEMA content was lower than 0.25.