The present invention is related to a linear functional polymer having repeating units A, B and D. Unit A represents --CH.sub.2--, unit B represents ##STR00001## and unit D represents ##STR00002## where R.sub.1 represents a polar functional group. There are at least four A units separating each B unit, each D unit, and each B and D unit. The value y represents the total number of B units and is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The total number of D units is represented by h and is an integer greater than or equal to 0. And x represents the total number of A units and is an integer sufficient that the molar fraction of the B and D units in the linear functional polymer is represented by a value j defined by the equation:.ltoreq. ##EQU00001## The present invention is also directed to a method for preparing such linear functional polymers by copolymerizing a first polar substituted monomer and a second non-polar unsubstituted monomer.