Abstract: A process for the continuous anionic polymerization or copolymerization of styrene or diene monomers using an alkali metal alkyl compound as polymerization initiator is carried out in the presence of an alkyl- or arylmetal compound of an element which occurs in at least divalent form as rate regulator, preferably under non-isothermal conditions and without back-mixing in a tubular or tube-bundle reactor, preferably using an alkyl- or arylmetal compound A of the formula R1M1 and an alkyl- or arylmetal compound B of the formula R2nM2 in a molar ratio between B and A of from 0.1:1 to 500:1, where M1 is Li, Na or K; R1 is hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C6-C20-aryl, or C7-C20-alkyl-substituted aryl; M2 is an n-valent element from group 2a, 2b or 3a of the Periodic Table; and R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C20-alkyl or C6-C20-aryl; and a special anionic polymerization initiator containing no Lewis base.

Abstract: The anionic polymerization of dienes or copolymers of dienes and vinylaromatic monomers in a vinylaromatic monomer or monomer mixture to give homopolydienes or copolymers or mixed homopolydienes and copolymers is carried out in the presence of a metal alkyl or aryl of an element having a valence of at least two without addition of Lewis bases.