A method of preparing a polymer is provided comprising preparing a Baylis-Hillman adduct by reacting an activated alkene with a carbon electrophile; and polymerizing the Baylis-Hillman adduct. The Baylis-Hillman reaction provides an efficient platform for the synthesis of densely functionalized monomers, from which polymers with multiple functional groups can be readily synthesized. It has been discovered that that Baylis-Hillman adducts are versatile monomers for both controlled radical and step-growth polymerizations.