The three hydrophobic monomers DQM1, DQM2 and DQM3 with different carbon chain lengths were prepared by bromination reaction. Using acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) as hydrophilic monomers, hydrophobic associating polymers DQM1-PAM, DQM2-PAM, and DQM3-PAM were prepared by aqueous solution free-radical polymerization. The associating behaviors relationship of the hydrophobic monomers with different carbon chain lengths on polymers was studied. It is confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H-NMR that the target products were successfully synthesized. Fluorescence tests reveal that with increasing the hydrophobic carbon chain length of polymer molecules, the polymer temperature resistance increases, intermolecular association degree increases, and critical association concentration decreases. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that with increasing the hydrophobic carbon chain length, the hydrophobic microarea of molecular aggregation increases, forming a closer spatial network structure. Rheological property evaluation reveals that the polymers DQM1-PAM, DQM2-PAM and DQM3-PAM in 2×104 mg/L NaCl and 2×103 mg / L CaCl2 salt solution with the increase of carbon chain length, the rheological shear viscosity retention rate increases, showing a good salt resistance. Concurrently, the molecular aggregation microarea of a solution with 0.5% polymer, degree of molecular chain action, viscoelasticity of the solution (G"" > G""), and thixotropic area all increase.