The invention relates to optical data carriers containing a preferably transparent substrate that is optionally already coated with at least one reflective layer. An information layer on which data can be written with light, optionally at least one reflective layer, and optionally a protective layer or another substrate or a covering layer, are applied to the surface of said substrate, and can be written on or read with a blue light, preferably light having a wavelength of between 360-460 nm, especially between 390 and 420 nm, preferably between 400 and 410 nm, and preferably laser light. The information layer contains a light-absorbent compound and optionally a binding agent. The inventive data carriers are characterised in that at least one metallic complex is used as a light-absorbent compound, comprising at least one ligand of formula (I) wherein (A) represents an optionally substituted and/or benzene-annelated or naphthane-annelated, five or six-membered, aromatic or quasi-aromatic or partially hydrated, heterocyclic radical, n represents 0 or 1, Y<1> represents N or C-R<1>, Y<2 >represents N or C-R<2>, Y<3 >represents N or C-R<3>, X represents O, S or N-R<5>, R<5 >represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, acyl, aryl or a heterocyclic radical, R<l> to R<4> independently represent hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, monoalkylamino or dialkylamino, aralkyl, aryl, hetaryl, arylazo, hetarylazo, cyano or alkoxycarbonyl, R<1>; R<2>, R<2>; R<3> and R<4>; R<5> can respectively form a bridge independently from each other, and R<2>; R<5> can form a bridge when n is 0. |