Substituted 3-oxopentanoates are disclosed that correspond to the following formula 1: in which R is hydrogen, or a methyl group; X is a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl or alkyl ether group having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms or aromatic group having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms; and Y1 and Y2 are independently hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms. Also disclosed are emulsion polymers, suspension polymers, and solution polymers that comprise residues from the substituted 3-oxopentanoate monomers, and that may also include one or more additional ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Also disclosed are coating compositions that include a latex emulsion polymer and the substituted 3-oxopentanoate monomer of formula 1 provided as a coalescent.