Polymerizable, saccharide-derived monomers are prepared in processes which utilize water as the reaction solvent and which preferably do not utilize a cosolvent. The saccharide monomers are prepared from a saccharide unit, an amine selected from the group consisting of R.sup.3 NH.sub.2, where R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkyl group, H or NH.sub.2, and a single, polymerizable, .alpha.-methyl styryl moiety. The saccharide monomers are useful in preparing polymers for use in freeze-thaw stable aqueous-based compositions which do not require conventional freeze-thaw solvents and colorimetrically detectable polymers which are used in treating aqueous systems.