Polymerization of styrene occurs at ambient temperature in the presence of H(OCH2CH2)(n)O-, K+, where n = 1-5. The reaction rate and molecular weight of polymer can be controlled by the number of ether oxygen atoms in the initiator molecule. These dependencies are related to the presence of aggregates of alkoxide molecules and to the formation of associates of oligo(ethylene oxide) chains with potassium cations. Chain transfer reactions are discussed.