The present invention relates to ultraviolet light absorbing compounds having the formula I and compositions containing these compounds in combination with polymers and/or carriers:wherein R1 is hydrogen or a halogen atom or a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a carboalkoxy groupR2 and R2′ can be the same or different and individually are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an unsubstituted or substituted straight-chain or branched alkyl group, an alkoxy group, a carboxyalkyl group, a carboalkoxy, a carboxyl group, an hydroxyl group, and a halogen atom.R3, R4 and R5 can be the same or different and individually are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a straight-chain or branched alkyl group, an alkylaryl group, an alkoxy group, a phenyl or substituted phenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a carboalkoxy group, an arylalkyl group, an hydroxyl group and a halogen atom.
