| abstract |
A water-soluble phthalocyanine dye or naphthalocyanine dye with near-infrared absorption comprises at least one complexed unit. Each unit comprises a phthalocyanine or a naphthalocyanine moiety and, optionally, a metal atom complexed thereto and, if present, having a valency of from 1 to 5, with two valencies complexed to the phthalocynanine ring or the naphthalocyanine ring. Each unit has two linker moieties on opposite sides or adjacent sides of the unit, wherein water-soluble groups are present on at least one of the linkers, on the metal atom, and optionally on the phthalocyanine or naphthalocyanine moiety. |