Patent ID: 7922799

Claim:
Compounds of Formula (1) and salts thereof: wherein: M is Cu or Ni; Pc represents a phthalocyanine nucleus of formula; R 1 is optionally substituted alkyl other than methyl; R 2 is H, optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted aryl; R 3 is H, optionally substituted alkyl or optionally substituted aryl; R 4 is a group comprising a heterocycle and an ionisable group; L is a direct bond or a divalent linking group; x is 0.1 to 3.8; y is 0.1 to 3.8; wherein the substituents represented by x, y and z are bound to the phthalocyanine ring only through the β-position and the compounds of formula (1) and salts thereof are prepared by a process which comprises cyclisation of appropriate β-sulfo substituted phthalic acid, phthalonitrile, iminoisoindoline, phthalic anhydride, phthalimide or phthalamide optionally in the presence of a suitable nitrogen source, a copper or nickel salt and a base followed by chlorination and then reaction with groups of formula HNR 1 R 2 and HNR 3 -L-R 4 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are as hereinbefore defined.