Compounds and polymers of such compounds are prepared based on the reaction product of a polysulfide containing diol and a dibasic acid, conveniently using an acid catalyst for the reaction. By appropriate choice of mole ratios, the resulting compound may have a hydroxyl and carboxyl, two hydroxyls or two carboxyls as terminal groups. The compounds can be modified by adding augmenting groups to change the terminal groups or properties of the monomer. The polymers find advantageous use as adhesives, sealants, coatings, paints, elastomers, plastic formulations, fibers, films and molded objects.