Abstract Copper 2, 9 (10), 16 (17), 23 (24)-and 1, 8 (11), 15 (18), 22 (25)-tetra (4- carboxyphenoxy) phthalocyanines and their carboxylic esters were synthesized and their spectral characteristics and liquid-crystalline properties were studied. 2, 9 (10), 16 (17), 23 (24)-Tetrasubstituted complexes exhibit both thermotropic and lyotropic mesomorphism in mixtures with a number of organic solvents.