Abstract: An optical recording medium using a charge transfer complex is disclosed. A charge transfer complex (cyanine-TCNQ) is formed from cyanine-based dyes having the following formula (I). ##STR1## (Wherein, R represents heteroaromatic residue,R' represents alkyl group, andn represents a positive integer not less than 2)with TCNQ or derivatives thereof to apply the complex as a recordable material in a semiconductor laser. To record information, a laser beam is focused to the optical recording medium, the cyanine-TCNQ in the recording layer absorbs the laser beam and is melted or decomposed. Reproducing can be accomplished by reading the reflectivity difference between the recording portion and the non-recording portion with lower power than the recording laser.