The preparation, spectral properties, and x-ray structural features of 2,3-naphthalocyanines.

We have prepared a series of 2,3-naphthalocyanine (H(2)NPc) compounds and examined their spectroscopic properties. All of them can be vacuum sublimed as thin films which absorb strongly in the near infrared and thus make them potentially useful as optical data recording media. In addition, we have measured the electrical resistivities, at room temperature, of several of the compacted 2,3-naphthalocyanines and find them to be semiconductors. Doping with bromine vapor enhances the conductivities only slightly (H(2)NPc actually becomes more resistive).