The solid phase, room-temperature synthesis of metal-free and metallophthalocyanines, particularly of 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octacyanophthalocyanines

Room-temperature synthesis of phthalocyanines (pcs) by condensation of phth alonitriles in the presence of solid sodium methoxide in THF is proposed fo r the synthesis of metal-free pcs with temperature- and/or base-sensitive s ubstituents. The addition of metal salts after metal-free pc formation in t he same vessel produces metallopcs in moderate to high (ca. 30-90%) yields.