A series of phthalocyanines were prepared from phthalodinitrile and corresponding metal salts by means of the 'solvent' methods. Some experiments were also conducted in the absence of a solvent in a 'solvent-free' process from phthalanhydride, urea and metal chlorides. All of the prepared phthalocyanines were modified by the incorporation of desirable functional groups in order to transform the virtually insoluble phthalocyanine skeleton into more soluble forms. Derivatives soluble in polar media were prepared by means of sulphonation, while those soluble in non-polar media were produced by chlorosulphonation with the subsequent condensation of prepared sulphochlorides with primary alkyl amines.