Processes for the preparation of alkoxy-bridged metallophthalocyanine dimers

A process for the preparation of alkoxy-bridged metallophthalocyanine dimers consisting essentially of the dissolution of 1 part of a trivalent metal halide in about 1 part to about 100 parts of the organic solvent benzene, toluene, or xylene, at a temperature of from about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. to form a solution of the metal trichloride;

• followed by the addition of 3 parts of the alkali metal alkoxide, sodium methoxide, sodium ethoxide, or sodium propoxide to provide a trivalent metal alkoxide solution, and an alkali metal salt byproduct of sodium chloride, at a temperature of from about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.;
• followed by the reaction thereof with from about 1 part to about 10 parts of ortho-phthalodinitrile or 1,3-diiminoisoindoline, and a diol of 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol), 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol) or 1,3-propanediol in an amount of from about 3 parts to about 100 parts for each part of the metal alkoxide formed, at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C. to about 220.degree. C. for a period of 30 minutes to 6 hours to provide an alkoxy-bridged metallophthalocyanine dimer, which dimer is isolated by filtration at a temperature of about 20.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C.

An in situ process for the preparation of alkoxy-bridged metallophthalocyanine dimers consisting essentially of the reaction of a metal halide and an alkali metal alkoxide to form in situ a metal alkoxide, and thereafter reacting said metal alkoxide with ortho-phthalodinitrile in the presence of a diol.

A process for the preparation of alkoxy-bridged metallophthalocyanine dimers consisting of the reaction of a trivalent metal compound with ortho-phthalodinitrile or 1,3-diiminoisoindoline in the presence of a diol.