Disclosed are certain poly-methine compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1 is independently selected from cyano; carboxy; alkenyloxycarbonyl; an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkoxycarbonyl or aryloxycarbonyl radical; an unsubstituted or substituted, carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl radical; an unsubstituted or substituted alkanoyl, cycloalkanoyl or aroyl radical; an unsubstituted or substituted carbamoyl radical; or an unsubstituted or substituted alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl radical; each R.sup.2 is independently selected from cyano or an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkoxycarbonyl or aryloxycarbonyl radical; each A is independently selected from an unsubstituted or substituted 1,2-phenylene or 1,2-naphthylene radical; each Z is independently selected from --0-- or --S--; and L is an organic linking group bonded by non-oxo carbon atoms to each Z atom. Also disclosed are sunscreen formulations and polymeric compositions containing at least one of the poly-methine compounds or the reactive residue thereof.