Squarylium-metal chelate compounds and optical recording media

Abstract

Squarylium-metal chelate compounds as recording materials for optical recording media, and optical recording media using these compounds, which have excellent recording properties, light resistance and storage stability. The squarylium-metal chelate compound is represented by following Structural Formulas (1) and (2): In the formula (1), M represents a metal atom capable of coordinating; 'a', 'b' and “c” each represents a squarylium dye ligand of formula (2), where “a” is different from “b”; and “c” may be the same as or different from “a” or “b”; and “m” represents 0 or 1. In the formula (2), Rand Rare the same or different and each represents an alkyl group, aralkyl group, aryl group or heterocyclic group, each of which may be substituted; and X represents an aryl group which may be substituted, a heterocyclic group which may be substituted, or Z=CH—, wherein Zrepresents a heterocyclic group which may be substituted.