A method is described for the preparation of photochromic dyes wherein a diazotized p-aminophenyl mercuric acetate Is coupled with various compounds such as bis-N,N-acetoxyethylaniline and 1-phenyl-3-methylpyrazolone. This method opens the feasibility of altering the nature of the photochromic dye just by changing the coupling compounds. Dyes prepared by this method have been characterized and found to be superior in many respects. Acrylic type monomers with chromophoric substituents have been synthesized and subjected to polymerization and copolymerization with other monomers. Films cast from solution of these polymers are found to be superior to polymers coated or imbibed with photochromic solutions.