We have synthesized anionic polyacroleins using various initiators (naphthalene complex, tert-butyllithium) in different solvents (tetrahydrofuran, toluene). We have studied the 'H NMR and 13C NMR spectra of the polymers and assigned monomeric units and diads by comparison with spectra of four compounds corresponding to the different microstructure arrangements. By this method, we have clearly proved the presence of 1,4-as well as 3,4-and 1,2-units. But numerous cyclisations occur on the 1,2-units. Using only the 'H NMR method, a first estimation of the microstructure was obtained. I3C NMR gave further information and permitted the estimation of the (1 ,4-cis)/( 1 ,4-trans) ratio. Furthermore the presence of hydroxyl groups along the chains has also been established. A satisfactory determination of the 1,2-, 3,4-and 1,4-structure percentages of several polyacroleins has been obtained using 'H NMR and 13C NMR simultaneously. A mechanism of acrolein polymerization, based on two different living ends is proposed. The microstructure indicates the existence of several complexation phenomena. When the living end/metal and monomer/metal complexations are weak (with Na' e.g.), the polymer consists mainly of 1,4-and 3,4-units. On the other hand, with Li', the microstructure has a high 1 ,2-content. Moreover, the living end/Li+ complexation would decrease with the chain length, because of the increasing attraction of the cation by the other complexing sites on this chain.