Provided is a benzotriazole compound that efficiently absorbs ray having a long wavelength of 360-400 nm, i) having excellent solubility in a monomer of a resin raw material, being dissolvable at a high concentration, polymerizing at excellent reactivity, and yielding a high-molecular-weight resin member and a transparent resin member, or ii) having exceptional heat resistance. This benzotriazole compound is represented by formula (I), where at least one of R.sup.1-R.sup.9 is represented by formula (i-1), (where R.sup.10 and R11 are hydrocarbon groups, etc., and R.sup.12 is represented by formula (i-2) or formula (i-3) (in formula (i-2), A.sup.1 represents a divalent group selected from nitrogen-Containing groups, oxygen-containing groups, sulfur-containing groups, phosphorus-containing groups, and phenylene groups, and R.sup.12a-R.sup.12c and X represent hydrocarbon groups, etc.; and in formula (i-3), A.sup.2 represents a divalent group selected from nitrogen-containing groups, oxygen-containing groups, sulfur-containing groups, and phosphorus-containing groups, and X.sup.a and X.sup.b represent hydrocarbon groups, etc.)).

Provided is a benzotriazole compound that efficiently absorbs ray having a long wavelength of 360-400 nm, i) having excellent solubility in a monomer of a resin raw material, being dissolvable at a high concentration, polymerizing at excellent reactivity, and yielding a high-molecular-weight resin member and a transparent resin member, or ii) having exceptional heat resistance. This benzotriazole compound is represented by formula (I), where at least one of R.sup.1-R.sup.9 is represented by formula (i-1), (where R.sup.10 and R11 are hydrocarbon groups, etc., and R.sup.12 is represented by formula (i-2) or formula (i-3) (in formula (i-2), A.sup.1 represents a divalent group selected from nitrogen-Containing groups, oxygen-containing groups, sulfur-containing groups, phosphorus-containing groups, and phenylene groups, and R.sup.12a-R.sup.12c and X represent hydrocarbon groups, etc.; and in formula (i-3), A.sup.2 represents a divalent group selected from nitrogen-containing groups, oxygen-containing groups, sulfur-containing groups, and phosphorus-containing groups, and X.sup.a and X.sup.b represent hydrocarbon groups, etc.)).

Disclosed is a method for preparing an ultra-violet radiation absorbing polymer composition comprising the polymer compound of formula in an esterification/transesterification which method comprises the steps of reacting a polyglycerol intermediate of formula with a benzotriazole UV-chromophore comprising a complementary functional group of formula to form the polymer compound of formula (3).

##STR00001##

Provided are benzotriazole derivative compounds of the general formula that are novel compounds capable of strongly absorbing light in the ultraviolet range, particularly 300-330 nm, while strongly absorbing light in the visible light short-wavelength range up to around 450 nm and being used suitably as a light absorber having high light fastness with a light-blocking function over an extended period of time. [Preferably, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R.sub.2 is a C1-8 alkyl group, R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, acryloyloxyalkyl group, or methacryloyloxyalkyl group].

Provided are benzotriazole derivative compounds of the general formula that are novel compounds capable of strongly absorbing light in the ultraviolet range, particularly 300-330 nm, while strongly absorbing light in the visible light short-wavelength range up to around 450 nm and being used suitably as a light absorber having high light fastness with a light-blocking function over an extended period of time. [Preferably, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R.sub.2 is a C1-8 alkyl group, R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, acryloyloxyalkyl group, or methacryloyloxyalkyl group].

Provided are benzotriazole derivative compounds of the general formula that are novel compounds capable of strongly absorbing light in the ultraviolet range, particularly 300-330 nm, while strongly absorbing light in the visible light short-wavelength range up to around 450 nm and being used suitably as a light absorber having high light fastness with a light-blocking function over an extended period of time. Preferably, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R.sub.2 is a C1-8 alkyl group, R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, acryloyloxyalkyl group, or methacryloyloxyalkyl group.

Provided are benzotriazole derivative compounds of the general formula that are novel compounds capable of strongly absorbing light in the ultraviolet range, particularly 300-330 nm, while strongly absorbing light in the visible light short-wavelength range up to around 450 nm and being used suitably as a light absorber having high light fastness with a light-blocking function over an extended period of time. Preferably, R.sub.1 is a hydrogen atom or alkyl group, R.sub.2 is a C1-8 alkyl group, R.sub.3 is a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, acryloyloxyalkyl group, or methacryloyloxyalkyl group.

Described are high energy light blocking compounds and ophthalmic devices containing the compounds. In particular, described are hydroxybiphenyl benzotriazole structures with polymerizable functionality that block high energy light and are visibly transparent. The hydroxybiphenyl benzotriazole structures can be incorporated into ophthalmic devices, such as hydrogel contact lenses, to protect eyes from high energy light radiation.

Described are high energy light blocking compounds and ophthalmic devices containing the compounds. In particular, described are hydroxybiphenyl benzotriazole structures with polymerizable functionality that block high energy light and are visibly transparent. The hydroxybiphenyl benzotriazole structures can be incorporated into ophthalmic devices, such as hydrogel contact lenses, to protect eyes from high energy light radiation.

A reactive UV absorber suitable for polyurethane is provided. The reactive UV absorber is a compound of formula 1: ##STR00001## wherein R1 is H or Cl.