The effect of synthetic clay on the photopolymerization kinetics and coating properties of methyl alpha-hydroxymethylacrylate (MHMA) systems in the presence of novel hydroxylated dimethacrylate crosslinkers is reported. In the presence of clay earlier onset of autoacceleration was observed, high rates of polymerization were achieved, and high final overall conversions were reached. Higher rates and increase in conversions were also observed as the clay content increased in the medium. To increase compatibility between clay and polymer matrix the use of Jeffamines as polymer/clay compatibilizers, based on ion-dipole interactions between ethylene oxide units and clay ions, was also investigated. Nanocomposite-based films by photopolymerization of the mixtures coated on glass microscope slides were prepared and evaluated using X-ray and TEM. The absence of Bragg diffraction peaks in all nanocomposite films indicated loss of organization of the clay layers and formation of well-dispersed, exfoliated systems was confirmed by TEM. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.