We studied anion clusters of phenanthrene using photoelectron spectra and theoretical calculations. The electron affinity of phenanthrene, which lies between those of naphthalene and anthracene, was explained by the orbital interaction model that reflected the structural differences among these molecules. The spectral feature of the photoelectron spectra indicated strong electron-vibration coupling along two symmetric vibrational modes. Since the spectral features of each ion core structure were uniquely characteristic, we could identify that the pentamer anion had coexisting monomeric and trimeric cores on the basis of the shape of the photoelectron spectra and the size-dependent evolution of the electron affinity. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.