Patent ID: 8702854

Claim:
Azaphthalocyanine compounds of Formula (1) and salts thereof: wherein: MAzPc represents an azaphthalocyanine nucleus of formula M is 2H, Cu or Ni; each P is independently CH or N; R 1 is H or optionally substituted alkyl; R 2 is H; optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl carrying 1 or 2 water solubilising groups selected from the group consisting of —SO 3 H, —CO 2 H and —PO 3 H 2 ; optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl carrying an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; or optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl carrying an optionally substituted aryl group; —SO 2 R 3 is a group of Formula (5) —SO 2 -L-SO 2 NR 13 R 14 Formula (5) wherein: R 13 is H or optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl; R 14 is H or optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl; and L is optionally substituted C 1-4 alkylene; y is greater than 0 and less than 4; z is greater than 0 and less than 4; and the sum of y+z is in the range of from 1 to 4; provided that at least one P is N in any one of the four component rings of the azaphthalocyanine nucleus.