Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) mono methacrylate ester (MAPEG) has been used, through a variety of reactions, to form several novel monomers, bearing both a polymerizable handle and various functional groups. These new compounds may be conjugated to biomolecules via amine, acid, or thiol moieties or they may form dendrimers via the epoxide. In addition, polymerization of these monomers may result in functionalized nanoparticles and microparticles or coatings, thus altering the acid-base or electrochemical properties of surfaces and particles. Full synthetic considerations, including interesting intermediates, are reported. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 5468-5478, 2010