A composition and an anion exchange membranes including a composition and a method of forming a composition including a compound including a poly(phenylene) backbone represented by the following formula: ##STR00001## wherein each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 may be the same or different and is H or an unsubstituted or inertly-substituted aromatic moiety; wherein each of Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 ma