A new reactive comonomer, p-allyltoluene (p-AT), was synthesized and copolymerized with ethylene by catalyst system of Et(Ind)(2)ZrCl2/MAO. The reactivity ratios of ethylene and p-AT were calculated. The lithiation reaction of PE copolymer was performed efficiently and the results showed that the reactions were occurred on the side chain but not on the backbone of the copolymer. PE-g-PS and PE-g-PDMS were synthesized via graft-from anionic polymerization to modify polyethylene. The results of Molau test showed that PE-g-PS could be potential good compatilizer. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.