in order to address the problems of conventional photochromic compounds , which are the insufficient coloring / discoloring speed and durability exhibited thereby and the large number of production steps , the present invention provides a photochromic compound that exhibits a high speed coloring / discoloring reaction and high durability while it is able to be synthesized in low cost , and that has industrial applicability . the compound of the present invention is characterized by the insertion of a diarylimidazolyl radical into the ortho position of an aryl group . the compound exhibits photochromic properties , and achieves a photochromic compound having both a high speed color switching reaction and high durability . furthermore low cost synthesis is possible , and the photochromic compound has industrial applicability .