Disclosed are merocyanine derivatives which correspond to the formula (I), wherein L1, L2 and L3 independently of each other are hydrogen or L1 and L3 may be linked together to form a carbocyclic ring R3 and R4 independently of each other are CN —COR5 —COOR5 —CONR5R6 C1-C22alkyl C2-C22alkenyl C2-C22alkinyl C3-C12cycloalkyl C3-C12cycloalkenyl C7-C20aralkyl C1-C20heteroalkyl C3-C12cycloheteroalkyl C3-C18heteroaralkyl C6-C20 aryl C1-C12alkylcarbonylamino-C6-C20aryl C2-C12heteroaryl or —X2—Sil2 n is a number from 1 to 4 the meaning of R1 and R2 depends on the definition of n. The compounds are useful as UV absorbers for cosmetic applications.
