N-alkyl-N-vinylformamide monomers (alkyl: n-butyl, hexyl, decyl, and dodecyl) are synthesized in two steps: first, preparation of N-vinylformamide potassium salt by the reaction of N-vinylformamide (NVF) with potassium t-butoxide, then reaction with alkyl bromide. All four monomers are liquid and are characterized by IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and mass spectra. They exist as rotomers in solution and a 2D NOE experiment on the N-hexyl containing polymer shows the E isomer to be favored. The polymerizability of the four monomers is from good to fair, depending upon the length of alkyl chain on the N-atom - the longer the chain length, the lower lower the polymerizability of monomer. The hydrolysis of poly(N-hexyl-N-vinylformamide) and poly(N-dodecyl-N-vinylformamide) under acidic and basic conditions was examined. Studies show that hydrolytic cleavage of formyl groups of poly (N-alkylated-N-vinyl-formamide) depends on the hydrophobicity of the alkyl substituent on the N-atom under acidic conditions; both polymers were hydrolyzed to only a minor extent under alkaline conditions. The N-alkylated monomers can copolymerize with NVF and demonstrate amphiphilic properties. The copolymers demonstrate a critical aggregation concentration above which they can solubilize a water insoluble dye; the N-hexyl containing copolymer stabilizes a castor oil-in-water emulsion. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.