AbstractThe nature of alkali derivatives of acetone (ADA) and active centres (AC) in the anionic polymerization of isopropenyl methyl ket one (IMK) was studied by means of IR spectroscopy. Solutions of ADA and of the AC of IMK in tetrahydrofuran show a characteristic absorption at 1560 – 1610 cm−1, due to the stretching vibrations of the delocalized isopropenyl oxide group. Two kinds of equimolar complexes are formed between acetone and ADA, depending on the nature of the counterion (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+). The same interaction is observed between the AC of oligo (IMK) and the carbonyl group of the last but one monomeric unit (penultimate effe