To obtain the subject novel compound that has a bright color (in other words, having a small half value width and a large extinction coefficient in absorption spectrum, and is useful as an electrochromic material.

This compound has a cyanine dye chromophore (preferably bearing the cyanine dye chromophore having the reaction between the intramolecular ring-closing achromatic reaction and the ring-opening color developing reaction and is represented by formula I (Z1 and Z2 are each a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring; X is S, O; R1 is an alkyl; R2 is an alkylene; L1-L3 are each methine; n is 0-5), typically the compound of formula II. The compound of formula I can be synthesized, for example, by allowing a base to act on a cyanine dye having a hydroxyethyl or mercaptoethyl on the N-position. The electrochromic material using the compound of formula I can give sharp absorber in its color-developing state.