A radiation-sensitive composition and negative-working imageable element
includes a polymeric binder comprising pendant allyl ester groups to
provide solvent resistance, excellent digital speed (sensitivity) and can
be imaged and developed without a preheat step to provide lithographic
printing plates. The polymeric binder can be prepared with a precursor
polymer having pendant carboxy groups that are converted to allyl ester
groups using an allyl-containing halide in the presence of a base in
order to avoid gelation.