The present invention relates to an electrochromic material, and a device utilizing the electrochromic material, comprising a substituted-1,1-dioxo-thiopyran of the general structure I: ##STR00001## wherein: X is carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur; n is 0, 1 or 2; R3 is independently an electron withdrawing group or a substituted or unsubstituted alky or aryl group; R1 and R5 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group; and R2 and R4 each independently represent hydrogen, or an electron withdrawing group, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group.