Abstract The preparation of new octakis [m-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-and octakis [m- (trifluoromethyl) phenoxy] phthalocyanines (6a and 6b) and their complexes with magnesium (5a, 5b) and indium (7a, 7b) is described. Their spectroscopic properties and solubilities are discussed in relation to those of metal-free and metallated octakis [m- (trifluoromethyl) phenyl] porphyrazine, as well as those of metal m-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl- ...