The interaction of AlR2(BHT)(OEt2) and AlMe(BHT)(2) with methylmethacrylate (MMA) leads to the formation of the Lewis acid-base complexes AlR2(BHTT)(MMA) [R = Me (1), Et (2)] and AlMe-(BHT)(2)(MMA) (3), respectively. The molecular structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The decrease in the C=O and C=C stretching frequencies in the IR spectrum, and downfield shift in the C-13 NMR spectrum of the alpha- and gamma-carbons of the MMA, when compared to free MMA, is presented with respect to the activator ability of sterically crowded aryloxide compounds of aluminum to the aluminum-porphyrin catalyzed (Inoue) polymerization of MMA. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.