The kinetics of radical polymerization of 1-vinyl-3-amino-1,2,4-triazole was studied. The results show that the presence of the amino group as a substituent on the heterocycle decreases the polymerization activity of the triazole-containing monomer. It was found that water has an accelerating effect on the 1-vinyl-3-amino-1,2,4-triazole polymerization process. The substitution of the amino group on the triazole cycle enhances the hydrophilic properties of the polymer relative to those of unsubstituted polyvinyltriazole and opens up possibilities for its further modification. © 2008 MAIK Nauka.