Preparation of transition metal phthalocyanine complexes as photosensitizers for dye solar cells

Novel transition metal phthalocyanine-type compounds having an axial ligand which is capable of binding onto a semiconductor such as TiO2, and having at least one peripheral substituent, are active photosensitizers for dye solar cells. Preferred compounds offer absorbance of solar radiation in the near infra-red and may be used in electricity-generating windows.