Nucleophilic aliphatic small rings

A large cationic radius generally increases the nucleophilic reactivity of the anion in an ion pair. A small cationic radius results in stronger electrostatic attraction and lesser reactivity of the anion. Catalysts with the active site separated from the polymer backbone by an aliphatic chain have higher activity than those prepared by quatemi-zation of a chloromethylpolystyrene with a tertiary amine or tertiary phosphine, leaving only one carbon atom between the active site and the aromatic ring. 

---