Abstract: A process for polymerizing at least one fluoromonomer in an aqueous medium containing initiator and hydrocarbon dispersing agent to form an aqueous dispersion of particles of fluoropolymer. The hydrocarbon dispersing agent comprises a compound of formula I: R—(XZ)n??I wherein R is a hydrophobic hydrocarbon moiety that comprises one or more saturated or unsaturated, non-cyclic or cyclic aliphatic groups, the percentage of total CH3 groups in relation to the total of CH3, CH2 and CH groups in said one or more aliphatic groups being at least about 70%, said hydrophobic moiety being free of siloxane units; wherein each X may be the same or different and represents an ionic hydrophilic moiety; wherein each Z may be a same or different and represents one or more counter ions for said ionic hydrophilic moiety; and wherein n is 1 to 3.