Abstract: An optical recording material comprising at least one kind of chalcone type compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a metal complex using the chalcone type compound as a ligand: wherein ring A represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring or an aromatic ring; ring B represents a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring, an aromatic ring, or a metallocene structure; the above-mentioned heterocyclic and aromatic ring may be condensed with other rings or may be substituted; n is 0 or 1.

Abstract: An optical recording medium having a substrate and an optical recording layer on the substrate. The optical recording layer is formed of an optical recording material containing at least one heterocyclic compound represented by general formula (I): wherein Z1 represents oxygen, sulfur, —CR5R6—, etc. (R5 and R6 are each a substituent, e.g., an alkyl group or an aralkyl group, or are taken together to form a ring); R1 and R2 each represent hydrogen, etc.; R3 and R4 each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or are taken together to form a heterocyclic ring having no multiple bond; Y1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a metallocene substituent, etc.; Anq? represents a q-valent anion; q represents 1 or 2; p represents a number necessary to neutralize an electric charge; and n represents a number of 1 to 4.