Near infrared absorber, preparation process therefor and use thereof

A phthalocyanine near infrared absorber having a broad absorption range in the near infrared region and represented by the following formula (1):

• ##STR27## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-20 alkyl group a C.sub.6-20 aryl group;
• Ys each independently represents a C.sub.1-20 alkyl group, a C.sub.6-20 aryl group, a C.sub.1-20 alkoxy group, or a C.sub.6-20 aryloxy group;
• m stands for an integer of 0 to 4;
• Pc represents a phthalocyanine nucleus;
• Z represents an --SH group or an --NHR.sup.3 group in which R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1-20 alkyl group or a C.sub.6-20 aryl group;
• Xs each independently represents a halogen atom, a hydroxy group, a C.sub.1-20 alkoxy group, a C.sub.6-20 aryloxy group, a C.sub.1-20 alkylthio group, a C.sub.6-20 arylthio group, a C.sub.1-20 alkylamino group, a C.sub.6-20 arylamino group and a C.sub.7-20 alkylarylamino group;
• the adjacent pairs of Xs may form a 5- or 6-membered ring via two hetero atoms;
• M represents a divalent metal atom, a monosubstituted trivalent, a disubstituted tetravalent metal or an oxymetal atom;
• p stands for an integer of 1 to 16;
• q stands for an integer of 0 to 8;
• r stand for an integer of 0 to 8;
• and p+2q+r is not greater than 16.