A discrete polyolefin catalyst activator is disclosed. A salient feature of invention borate-based activators is that at least one of the ligands on the borate non-coordinating anion (NCA) comprises a fluorinated aryl group linked to the boron atom through an acetylenic group appropriate pairing of invention activators with olefin polymerization. Catalyst precursors yield increased catalytic activity. Polymerization results are disclosed.