Photo-acid generating vinyl polymerizable monomers (PAG monomers) were prepared comprising sulfonate ester groups of N-hydroxide imides. The photo-acid generating portion of the PAG monomer is linked to a polymerizable portion of the monomer by an amide linking group. Photo-acid generating polymers (PAG polymers) of the PAG monomers show high sensitivity to extreme ultraviolet radiation (13.5 nm) and much less sensitivity to far ultraviolet wavelengths (193 nm, 248 nm). The PAG polymers also exhibit thermal and chemical amplification properties useful for forming high resolution positive tone or negative tone lithographic resist patterns.