Abstract: The present invention pertains to a reversible thermochromic system comprising a ?-phenylvinylketone or a ?-phenyl polyacetylenyl ketone with at least one acidic hydrogen and a base and to a reversible thermochromic composition comprising the reversible thermochromic system and a carrier material and to novel substituted ?-phenylvinylketones or ?-phenyl polyacetylenyl ketones with at least one acidic hydrogen.