Poly(beta-pinene) was brominated by N-bromosuccinimide on the allylic carbons. Then the brominated product was activated by AlEt2Cl to initiate the polymerization of styrene to give a beta-pinene/styrene graft copolymer. AlEt2Cl was selected because it alone could not initiate the polymerization of styrene. The obtained graft copolymer was characterized by GPC, H-1-NMR, and DSC measurements, respectively. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.