Use of elemental metals in different grade of activation for phthalocyanine preparation

Synthesis of non-substituted metal phthalocyaninates starting from phthalonitrile in various non-aqueous solvents in presence of a series of elemental metals in different grade of activation is described. Special attention is paid to phthalocyanine formation at relatively low temperatures (0–50 °C). In case of use of various forms of activated and non-active nickel, it is shown that its most active form causes rapid PcNi formation at 0–25 °C without addition of CH3ONa.