9-(Guanidinomethyl)anthracene derivatives with a bromo (6) or a vinyl group (10) at the 10-position have been prepared starting from 9-bromoanthracene (1). They show 1:1 complexation with carboxylic acids or carboxylates with K-values of 1.2-1.4×105 M−1 in deuteriomethanol. Copolymerization of 9-vinylanthracene, 9-(guanidinomethyl)-10-vinylanthracene hydrochloride (10), and the 1:1 complex of 10 and ammonium benzoate with ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) gave the polymers in 77-92% yield. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.