Chromogenic phthalides of formula ##STR1## wherein X, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently of the other C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 alkyl,Y.sub.1 is hydrogen, alkyl of not more than 12 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, hydroxyl, cyano or lower alkoxy, or is acyl or 1 of 12 carbon atoms, benzyl or benzyl which is substituted by halogen, cyano, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy,Y.sub.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or phenyl, andthe benzene rings A and B are each independently of the other unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, nitro, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, lower alkoxycarbonyl, amino, mono-lower alkylamino, di-lower alkylamino or lower alkanoylamino.These phthalides are particularly suitable for use as color formers in pressure-sensitive or heat-sensitive recording materials and give intense blue or violet blue colored images.