Two novel near-infrared absorbing perylene imide derivatives (Ⅰ and Ⅱ,Scheme 1) with benzo[e]indole have been synthesized and identified with regard to their structures.Their absorption properties,electrochemical and photosensitization properties were investigated systematically.Two perylene dyes have wide absorption bands with high molar extinction coefficient over the entire visible spectrum.Electrochemical results confirm that the photo-induced electron injection is thermodynamically favorable.It was found that perylene dye Ⅱ was a better sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cell.