The invention comprises compounds of formula Ar2C:C(CN)2 wherein Ar is an aromatic carbocyclic nucleus devoid of nitro and amino groups; at least one of the aromatic nuclei is substituted by 1-5 groups selected from halogen, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, hydroxy-alkoxy, carboxy, carbalkoxy, carbonamido, acyloxy, sulphonamido and monocyclic carbocyclic aryl which latter may be substituted but is devoid of nitro and amino groups.  The compounds are prepared by condensing malononitrile with the appropriate substituted benzophenone, of which many examples are listed. Compounds of the invention which are phenols or amides with active hydrogen may be oxyalkylated with an alkylene oxide.ALSO:Diarylmethylenemalononitriles, which may be substituted, but are devoid of nitro and nuclear-bound amino groups, are incorporated into film-forming polymers to protect against ultra-violet light degradation of organic material stored behind the films.  In example 1, 4,41-dichlorodiphenylmethylenemalononitrile is incorporated in cellulose acetate containing (before costing) ethanol, 2-methoxyethanol, ethyl acetate and acetone.  In Example 2, phenyl-(4-n-dodecyloxyphenyl) - methylenemalononitrile is incorporated in a polyethylene wax.  In Example 4, 2,41-dichlorodiphenylmethylenemalononitrile is incorporated in a proprietary unsaturated polyester containing peroxide before curing. In Example 5, an aqueous emulsion containing methyl acrylate, phenyl-4-(methoxyphenyl) - methylenemalononitrile, polyether surfactant and ammonium persulphate is polymerized by reflux. Diarylmethylenemalononitriles substituted by one or more hydroxyl or carbonamide groups may be oxyalkylated using e.g. ethylene, propylene, butylene, cyclohexene, isobutylene or styrene oxides, butylene or butadiene dioxides, glycidol or epichlorohydric to give polyoxyalkylated derivatives containing e.g. up to 100 oxyalkyl groups per hydroxyl group in the starting material.  In Example 23, phenyl-4-hydroxyphenylmethylenemalononitrile is reacted with 30 moles ethylene oxide.  In Example 25, di-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methylenemalononitrile is reacted with 35 moles ethylene oxide.ALSO:A furniture wax contains carnauba wax, turpentine, water, soap and as ultra-violet light absorber 4 - chloro - 41 - methoxydiphenylmethylenemalonitrile.  Soap and detergents comprise the addition product of 35 mols. ethylene oxide and di-(4-hydroxyphenyl) methylenemalonitrile.ALSO:Leather is protected against the action of ultra-violet light by being sprayed with an aqueous emulsion containing polymethylacrylate and phenyl-4-(methoxyphenyl)methylenemalononitrile, pressed and dried.ALSO:Emulsions of pigments and dyestuffs are prepared using as dispersing agent the addition product of 6 moles ethylene oxide and phenyl-4-hydroxyphenylmethylenemalononitrile (Example 22). Regenerated cellulose tape may be coated on the back with a cellulose acetate lacquer containing 4,41-dichlorodiphenyl-methylenemalononitrile as ultra-violet light absorber.ALSO:Paper, cotton and jute are treated with an aqueous dispersion of the addition product of 6 moles ethylene oxide and phenyl-4-hydroxyphenyl-methylenemalononitrile, in order to afford protection against ultra-violet light degradation.