NEW MATERIAL:A 1,3-bis(dicyanomethylene)indane derivative shown by formula I (R1WR4 are H, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, amino, -A-R or group shown by formula II; A is group shown by formula III< formula IV or formula V; B is group shown by formula VI or formula VII; R, R' and R" are H, alkyl, aryl, heterocyclic residue or cyclohexyl).

EXAMPLE: 1,3-Bis(dicyanomethylene)indane.

USE: Useful as an intermediate for synthesizing a dyestuff for optical information recording medium.

PREPARATION: An 1,3-indanedione derivative show by formula VIII is reacted with a malononitrile in a solvent such as ethanol or acetonitrile in the presence of an organic base such as mixed solution of piperidine and glacial acetic acid preferably at 40W80°C to give a compound shown by formula I.