Dual-mode of assembly of anthracene-based imidazolium salts both in non-polar organic solvents and in aqueous solution.

Amphiphilic anthracene derivatives showed solvent-polarity-dependent fluorescence. Monomer emission and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) were observed in polar and non-polar organic solvents, respectively. AIE became predominant in aqueous solution in the case of hexafluorophosphate as a counter anion.