The activator Y-Q-X is capable of the in situ generation of ions including, but not limited to, acylium, sulfonium, sulfurylium and phosphonium; X and Y can be H, Cl, Br, I or other leaving groups including but not limited to mesylates, tosylates and phenoxides; both X and Y can be identical or different and ???n??? is an integer ranging from 4 to 800 and more preferably from 65 to 800 i.e. a PEG