Abstract
Phthalocyanines are attracting much attention as new functional materials since they are related compounds to porphyrins which are important functional compounds in the nature. Formation, structures, redox as well as catalytic properties, and their applications to functional materials have been reviewed. Phthalocyanines and their derivatives are prepared by various procedures. They show interesting redox properties based on the electronic structure of the phthalocyanine ring, and therefore work as various catalyst for e. g., reduction of nitro compounds and oxygen, and photochemical reduction of protons. Their applications to new devices such as electrochromic device, photovoltaic cells, photoreceptors, photochemical hole burning, and conductive materials are described.
