The green strength of polymers produced by emulsion polymerization processes is improved through the use of carboxyl containing compounds. Specifically, the compounds are half esters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids wherein the half ester moiety renders the carboxyl containing compound hydrophobic. As a result, carboxylic copolymers can be produced in emulsion polymerizations having a basic (pH.gtoreq.7.0) aqueous medium. Heretofore, use of carboxylic acids in emulsion polymerizations have been limited to acidic mediums.