A novel macrocycle has been synthesized from 4'-(alpha-bromoacetyl)benzo-15
-crown-5, 4-nitrophthalonitril and diethyl malonate; its cyclotetramerizati
on gives Cu(II), Co(II) and Pd(II) phthalocyanines (Pcs) with four benzo-15
-crown-5 substituents on the periphery. The effects of alkali metal cations
with these Pcs has been investigated through the changes in the visible sp
ectra. The newly synthesized compounds have also been characterized by elem
ental analyses, IR, H-1 NMR. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights rese
rved.