The solution copolymerization of limonene (Lim) and vinyl acetate (VA) with azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator in dioxane at 65 0.1 degrees C for 2 h under a nitrogen blanket has been carried out. The kinetic expression is [AIBN](0.5)[VA](1.0)[Lim](-1.0). The overall energy of activation has been computed to be 30 kJ/mol. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has shown bands at 1731 cm(-1) due to acetoxy protons of VA and at 1689 cm(-1) due to trisubstituted olefinic protons (-CH= CH-CH2) of Lim. H-1-NMR spectroscopy of the copolymer has shown peaks at delta = 1.2-1.5 and delta = 5.3-5.6 due to acetoxy and trisubstituted olefinic protons of VA and Lim, respectively. The reactivity ratios have been calculated to be 0.05 for VA and 0.011 for Lim with the Kelen-Tudos method. The glass-transition temperature of the copolymer, determined by differential scarming calorimetry, is 32.4 degrees C. The copolyrner is likely biodegradative in nature. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.