A composition and method of forming a composition including a compound including a poly(phenylene) backbone represented by the following formula: wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 may be the same or different and is H or an unsubstituted or inertly-substituted aromatic moiety; wherein Ar1 is an unsubstituted or inertly-substituted aromatic moiety; wherein R4 is an alkylene, perfluoroalkyl, polyethylene glycol, or polypropylene glycol moiety; wherein each of R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 is H or a monovalent hydrocarbon group including two to 18 carbon atoms, with the proviso that each R6, R7, R8, R9, R10 and R11 cannot be H; and wherein each of Y6, Y7, Y8, Y9, Y10 and Y11 may be the same or different and is H or a functional group are disclosed. The composition can be used as anion-exchange membranes and as an electrode binder material in anion exchange membrane fuel cells.