A novel benzothiophene/indole-substituted maleimide derivative, a photochromic material and an optical recording material using the same. The benzothiophene/indole-substituted maleimide derivative is represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## or the following formula (2): ##STR2## wherein R is a substituted or an unsubstituted monovalent hydrocarbon group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkylthio group or an alkoxy group under the condition where at least either one of them is an alkylthio group or an alkoxy group, R.sup.3 is an alkyl group or an acyl group, and rings A and B may not be substituted or may be substituted with an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a halogen atom, respectively.