Methyl vinyl ketone was firstly used to successfully copolymerize with acrylonitrile. This was achieved by using azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator, and dimethyl sulfoxide as the solvent. Effect of copolymerization systems on monomer apparent reactivity ratios for copolymer of acrylonitrile with methyl vinyl ketone was studied for contrast. Values of monomer apparent reactivity ratios were calculated by Kelen-Tudos method. It has been found that the apparent reactivity ratios in aqueous suspension polymerization system were similar to those in solution polymerization system at polymerization conversion less than 20%. Beyond 50% of conversion, the changes of monomer apparent reactivity ratios become less prominent. In water-rich reaction medium [(H2O/dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)> 80/20), monomer apparent reactivity ratios were approximately equivalent to those in aqueous suspension polymerization system. In DMSO-rich reaction medium (DMSO/H2O > 80/20), apparent reactivity ratios were similar to those in solution polymerization system. Values of apparent reaction ratios both decreased when AN/MVK copolymer was synthesized in DMF and DMAc. The values of apparent reaction ratios gradually tend to 1 with increasing the copolymerization temperature. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.