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The stability of disodium tetramer of α‐methylstyrene (“living” polymer) in THF and in a THF‐α‐methylstyrene mixture has been investigated by spectrophotometry. It was found that at 25°C and at concentrations lower than the equilibrium concentration α‐methylstyrene greatly stabilizes the process leading to disappearance of the main absorption band (λmax = 340 mμ) of “living” polymer. In this case isomerization of “living” polymer is accompanied by quantitative conversion of the compound having λmax = 340 mμ into a new compound with λmax = 430 mμ. The constants of the disappearance rate D340 and the activation energies of the process were determined in THF and in a THF‐α‐methylstyrene mixture. The introduction of small amounts of α‐methylstyrene into living polymer at 25°C markedly increases its activity in the course of propagation. The experimental results are considered from the standpoint of formation of complexes of living polymer with α‐methylstyrene.

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