An acyclic alkane soluble anionic polymerization initiator includes a mixture of from about 90 to about 10 parts by weight of a lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.1 Li and from about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of at least one other lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.2 Li. A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are selected from the dialkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl and dicycloalkyl amine radicals and cyclic amine radicals. There is also provided a method of forming a mixture of anionic polymerization initiators, a functionalized polymer and a method of forming a functionalized polymer.