Copolymerization of 1-vinyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole with vinyl chloride in the presence of azobis(isobutyronitrile) occurs as a two-step process. The copolymer is initially formed by the radical mechanism. Then, the eliminated hydrogen chloride initiates cationic oligomerization of 1-vinyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole, enriching the copolymer with units of this monomer.