In this study, methyl oleate was bromoacrylated in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide and acrylic acid in one step. Homopolyrners and copolymers of bromoacrylated methyl oleate (BAMO) were synthesized by free radical bulk polymerization and photopolymerization techniques. Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenyl-acetophenone were used as initiators. The new monomer BAMO was characterized by FTIR, GC-MS, H-1, and C-13-NMR spectroscopy. Styrene (STY), methylmethacrylate (MMA), and vinyl acetate (VA) were used for copolymerization. The polymers synthesized were characterized by FTIR, H-1-NMR, C-13-NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Molecular weight and polydispersities of the copolymers were determined by GPC analysis. Ten different feed ratios of the rnonomers STY and BAMO were used for the calculation of reactivity ratios. The reactivity ratios were determined by the Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods using H-1-NMR spectroscopic data. The reactivity ratios were found to be r(sty) = 0.891 (Fineman-Ross method), 0.859 (Kelen-Tudos method); r(bamo) = 0.671 (Fineman-Ross method), 0.524 (Kelen-Tudos method). (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.