The copolymerization of ethylene and 1,7octadiene was carried out to synthesize polyethylene with unreacted vinyl groups. The prepared copolymer [poly (ethylene-co-1,7-octadiene) (PEOD)] was epoxidized with peracetic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, or formic acid/H2O2- Of these, peracetic acid gave the best results. Epoxidized PEOD was subjected to a reaction with 2-mercapto-benzimidazole and poly(L-lactic acid). The bromination of PEOD was also performed in the presence of a Br-2/HBr solution at room temperature. The brominated poly(ethylene-co-1,7-octadiene) (PEOD-Br) was used as a macroinitiator for atom transfer radical polymerization. The polymerization of styrene, butyl methacrylate, and glycidyl methacrylate was performed in bulk or solution at 120 degrees C with a PEOD-Br/CuBr/2,2'-dipyridyl initiator system. The thermal properties of the graft copolymers and the efficiency of the graft polymerization were investigated. These graft copolymers have potential applications as interfacial modifiers. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 109: 3631-3638,2008.