Hydroquinonoid polymers having n recurring units of the General Structural Formula ##STR1## wherein n is 3 or greater, X and X' independently are hydrogen or methyl, R is a lower hydrocarbon, and R' and R" independently are lower hydrocarbons or hydrogens are disclosed as well as such polymers additionally containing phenolic copolymerizates. The preparation of these polymers by the one step copolymerization of a diolefinic hydrocarbon, a hydroquinonoid and optionally a phenolic, in the presence of an ortho-alkylation catalyst, and the use of these polymers as antioxidants, especially for foodstuffs, is also disclosed.