High-molecular weight (HMW) poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was prepared via an emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate (VAc) using a redox initiation system in low temperatures, and the subsequent saponification with potassium hydroxide in methanol. The effect of the polymerization conditions on the conversion, molecular weight, and branching degree was investigated. PVA with maximum viscosity-average degree of polymerization (DP) of 8270 could be prepared by saponification of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc), with DP of 10,660 obtained at temperature of 10 degrees C, monomer concentration of 30%, potassium persulfate molar ratio to monomer of 1/2000, agitation speed of 160 rpm. The conversion was above 90%. From the emulsifier-free emulsion polymerization of VAc in low temperature, PVAc with HMW and high linearity was effectively prepared, which might be useful for the preparation of high-strength and high-modulus PVA fiber. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012