This invention is an aminostyrylanthracene compound represented by, for example, the following general formula [I]. This compound is produced by condensation from a corresponding aminobenzaldehyde and a phosphonic ester or phosphonium salt. ##STR1##

[where, in the general formula [I] above, R² represents an unsubstituted aryl group, R¹ represents an aryl group which may have a variety of substituents, and R³ to R⁵ each represent a hydrogen atom, a cyano group, or a hydrocarbon group.]