Novel two-fold-macrocycle-substituted phthalocyanines

New metallophthalocyanines (M = Cu or Ni) substituted in peripheral positions with four 14-membered tetraaza macrocycles each attached to a 15-membered crown ether have been prepared in a multi-step reaction sequence. The N-tosylated derivatives are extensively soluble in apolar solvents and form adducts with alkali-metal cations. Detosylation of the macrocyclic aza groups provides donor sites for binding transition-metal ions (e.g. NiII) which leads to pentanuclear water-soluble complexes.