Preparation of octa(alkoxy) azaphthalocyanines

5,6-Bis(alkoxy) pyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitriles 3, with methoxy-, ethoxy- and propoxy-substituents, were allowed to react with magnesium alkoxides to for m the corresponding magnesium octa(alkoxy) azaphthalocyanines 5a,d,e. Compo und 5a was converted into the metal-free azaphthalocyanine 5b, and to the c opper complex 5c. The propoxy substituted magnesium azaphthalocyanine 5e wa s converted to the metal free azaphthalocyanine 5f. Both 5e and 5f are read ily soluble in organic solvents. The stable intermediate methyl 2,3-di(meth oxy)-6-cyanopyrazine-5-carboximidate 4, was obtained both from a reaction o f 5,6-dichloropyrazine-2,3-dicarbonitrile 1, with sodium methoxide in metha nol, and in a sodium methoxide catalyzed reaction of 3a with ammonia in met hanol. Compound 4 was converted into 5a with magnesium methoxide, and is th erefore an intermediate between 3a and 5a.