Polyacrylamides and their co polymers with other hydrophilic monomers, and their metallic salts are utilized in many applications that include mining, water treatment, sewage treatment, boiler-water additives, super absorbent diapers, paints, detergents, industrial coatings, cosmetics, ceramics, textiles, ion-exchange resins, paper making, oil well drilling, agriculture, industrial adhesives, cements, drugs delivery, and oil production. According to invention, acrylonitrile is hydrolyzed e.g. with sulfuric acid monohydrate, neutralized e.g. with calcium carbonate, maintained as a slurry without isolation, and then polymerized, preferably at pH 7 to about 9, preferably in the presence of polymerization catalyst e.g. triethanolamine /ammonium persulfate. Preferably a polymerization inhibitor e.g. cooper sulfate, is added with the reactants of the hydrolysis step and remove prior to polymerization. The finished Acrylamide may be utilized without further treatment or its viscosity increasing properties may be enhanced by Hydrolysis and/or Methylolation and/or Sulfomethylation.