Abstract: The invention relates to branched polymers derived by free-radical polymerisation from a mixture of monomers with 50 to 93 wt. % of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, 2 to 25 wt. % of at least one ethylenically unsaturated macromonomer with a molecular weight of 1,000 to 20,000 and 5 to 25 wt. % of at least one polymerisable imidazole derivative, wherein the components together make up 100 wt. %, the resulting polymer possesses a molecular weight of 15,000 to 100,000 and is optionally present in the form of a salt. The present invention also relates to the production of these polymers and their use as dispersing agents in liquid media or for the pre-coating of solids to be dispersed.