This review summarizes the synthetic strategies for substituted phthalonitriles and phthalocyanines. Preparation of alkyl-, aryl-, halo-, nitro-, alkoxy-, aryloxy-, alkylthio-, arylthio-, and amino-substituted phthalocyanines along with the derivatives of phthalocyanine carboxylicand sulfoacids is overviewed. Influence of the substituents on the position of Q-band in UV-vis spectra of substituted phthalocyanines is also briefly discussed.