PURPOSE: To produce an -type metal phthalocyanine in high yields, by heating a phthalocyanine ring-forming org. compd., urea, a metal salt and a reaction catalyst in the presence of a specified tetrazaporphine in an inert solvent.

CONSTITUTION: 12W16mol of urea, 1W1.1mol of a metal salt such as CuCl, 0.01W0.03mol of a reaction catalyst such as ammonium molybdate and 3W20wt% (based on the amount of component a mentioned below) tetracyclohexeno-metal- tetrazaporphine of the formula (wherein M is Cu, Co, Ni) are added to 4mol of a phthalocyaninering-forming org. compd. (A) such as phthalic anhydride. The mixture is reacted in a reaction solvent such as nitrobenzene under a pressure of normal pressure to 10kg/cm2 at 150W200°C for 3W8hr.