Phthalocyanine Pigment - Chemistry & Applications

Chemistry and Applications of Phthalocyanine Pigments

Phthalocyanines, a class of organic pigments, were discovered in 1907 and today are the main organic blue and green pigments in the industry. Phthalocyanines form complexes with a variety of chemical elements. The most important phthalocyanine, copper phthalocyanine, is produced worldwide. Synthesis usually starts with phthalonitrile and metal or phthalic anhydride, urea, and metal salts as the starting materials. The reactions can be carried out in a solvent or at higher temperatures in a dry state. The chemical stability and physical properties have stimulated applications of phthalocyanines in fields like semiconductors, catalysts, lasers, and lubricants. However, 90% of the phthalocyanines are used as pigments for printing inks, paints, coatings, plastics, textile, and spin dyeing industries. Phthalocyanine dyes are predominantly used for dyeing of textiles, paper, and leather. The predominant phthalocyanine derivatives are formed with halogens (green pigments), sulfonic acids, and sulfonyl chlorides (dyes).

The Family of Copper Phthalocyanine Pigments

Color Index Name	Color Index	CAS NO	Chemical Family
Pigment Blue 15	74160	147-14-8	Copper Phthalocyanine Blue Alpha Form
Pigment Blue 7	74160	1328-53-6	Copper Phthalocyanine (Chlorinated form)
Pigment Blue 36	742650	68425-85-4	Copper Phthalocyanine (Colour-Brominated Green)

Applications of Phthalocyanine Pigments

A major and very useful application of these pigments lies in the manufacturing of cyan printing inks that is used in printing of papers and also in packaging materials.

• Polymer (Plastics) – LDPE, HDPE, PP, PVC, Polystyrene, PET etc
• Rubbers – Natural and Synthetic
• Paints – Water Borne & Solvent Borne, Enamel Paints, Acrylic Paints, Cement Paints etc
• Inks – Offset & Letterpress, Polyamide, Aqueous, NC Inks
• Textiles – Emulsion Paste for Pigment Printing
• Detergents – Emulsion Paste, Detergent Powder, Detergent Liquid

Phthalocyanine Pigments by Qualitron All Organic Pigments by Qualitron Chrome Pigments by Qualitron Solvent Dyes by Qualitron