Process for the preparation of polymers with polyoxyalkylene chains bonded in side positions and their use for the preparation of polyurethanes

Process for the synthesis of polymers with laterally linked polyoxyalkylene chains by the free radical polymerization of polyoxyalkylene ethers with olefinic double bonds with other vinyl compounds, capable of copolymerizing wherein the polyoxyalkylene ethers of allyl and/or methallyl alcohol are copolymerized in a known manner with vinyl esters of lower carboxylic acids or mixtures of vinyl esters of lower carboxylic acids with up to 50 mole percent of esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid. The compounds can be used to advantage as reaction components having hydroxyl groups in the production of polyurethanes. In particular, they improve the mechanical properties of polyurethane foams, such as, for example, their compression hardness.