Novel fulgimide compounds substituted on the nitrogen atom constituting the imide ring with a phenyl group having an electron attractive group at least at one of the m-positions, which are represented by general formula (I), wherein the group of general formula (a) is an optionally substituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon or unsaturated heterocyclic group; the group of general formula (b) is an optionally substituted norbornylidene, bicyclo[3.3.1]nonylidene or adamantylidene group; and R is an electron attractive group; and the use of them as photochromic material. The fulgimide compounds develop colors in higher densities than those of the photochromic compounds of the prior art.