novel 1 , 2 - diaryl - 1 , 2 - dicyano - ethane compounds having the following formula : ## str1 ## wherein m , n , p , and q independently are 0 or 1 , provided that if m = 0 , then n = 0 ; and if p = 0 , then q = 0 ; the groups y and c , x and d , or both , being capable of forming a heterocyclic ring having 2 to 5 carbon atoms ; x , y , c , and d are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted alkyl groups having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms , alkenyl groups having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms , cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms , and phenyl ; if m = 0 , x may also be chlorine ; if p = 0 , y may also be chlorine ; if m = 1 , x and d independently may also be hydrogen ; if p = 1 , y and c independently may also be hydrogen ; if m = 1 and n = 1 , a is nitrogen ; if m = 1 and n = 0 , a is at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur ; if p = 1 and q = 1 , b is nitrogen ; if p = 1 and q = 0 , b is at least one member selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur ; and ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms are disclosed , and a process for making the same .