The radical copolymerization of acyclic terpene namely geraniol [GER] with acrylonitrile [AN] in DMF at (70 +/- 0.1)degrees C for 1 h, using benzoylperoxide (BPO) as an initiator has been carried out under inert atmosphere of nitrogen. The kinetic expression for reaction is R-p proportional to [BPO] (0.5) [AN](1.0) [GER](1.0). The IR spectrum of the copolymer shows bands at 3432 and at 2244 cm(-1) due to -OH group of GER and -CN group of AN, respectively. The C-13-NMR spectrum shows peaks at 73-75 delta ppm and 116-120 delta ppm due to -OH group of GER and -CN group of AN, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry study shows that copolymer is thermally stable up to 407 degrees C and has glass transition temperatures (T-g) 56 degrees C. The reactivity ratios r(1) (AN) and r(2) (GER) have been calculated as 0.05 and 0.005, respectively. The Alfrey-Price Q-e parameter for GER has been calculated as 0.094 and -2.0, respectively. The molecular weights of the copolymers have been evaluated by gel-permeation chromatography. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J AppI Polyrn Sci 108: 892-899, 2008.