Protected functional initiators have been demonstrated to polymerize dienes and alkenyl substituted aromatics. The resultant living anions were linked with a coupling agent, such as divinylbenzene or tin tetrachloride, to afford a protected functionalized star polymer. Subsequent deprotection afforded a star polymer, with functional groups on the end of each arm of the star. The star polymer could be hydrogenated before or after removal of the protecting groups. The newly liberated functional groups can participate in further polymerization chemistry.