Phthalocyanine compounds, ink compositions comprising said compounds, and printing process therewith

1. A process for forming an image on a substrate comprising applying a composition which comprises:

(a) a compound of Formula (1) and salts thereof:

wherein:

M is Cu or Ni;

Pc represents a phthalocyanine nucleus of Formula (2);

R 1 and R 2 are H;

R 3 is H or optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl;

R 4 is optionally substituted C 1-4 -hydroxyalkyl;

x is greater than 0 and less than 1.2;

y and z are both greater than 0; and

the sum of (x+y+z) is 2.4 to 4.5: and

(b) a liquid medium:

thereto by means of an ink-jet printer.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are all H.

3. A process according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 4 is unsubstituted C 1-4 -hydroxyalkyl.

4. A process according to claim 3 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 4 is C 2 -hydroxyalkyl.

5. A process according to claim 3 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) x is greater than 0.05 and less than 1.0.

6. A process according to claim 1 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) x is greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5.

7. A composition comprising:

(a) a compound of Formula (1) and salts thereof:

wherein:

M is Cu or Ni;

Pc represents a phthalocyanine nucleus of Formula (2);

R 1 and R 2 ;

R 3 is H or optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl;

R 4 is optionally substituted C 1-4 -hydroxyalkyl;

x is greater than 0 and less than 1.2;

y and z are both greater than 0; and

the sum of (x+y+z) is 2.4 to 4.5; and

(b) a liquid medium which comprises water and an organic solvent or an organic solvent free from water.

8. A composition according to claim 7 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are all H.

9. A composition according to either claim 7 or claim 8 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 4 is unsubstituted C 1-4 -hydroxyalkyl.

10. A composition according to claim 9 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 4 is C 2 -hydroxyalkyl.

11. A composition according to claim 7 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) x is greater than 0.05 and less than 1.0.

12. A composition according to claims 7 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) x is greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5.

13. A compound of Formula (1) and salts thereof:

wherein:

M is Cu or Ni;

Pc represents a phthalocyanine nucleus of Formula (2);

R 1 , R 2 and R 3 independently are H or optionally substituted C 1-4 alkyl;

R 4 is optionally substituted C 1-4 -hydroxyalkyl;

x is greater than 0 and less than 1.0;

y and z are both greater than 0; and

the sum of (x+y+z) is 2.4 to 4.5.

14. A compound according to claim 13 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are all H.

15. A compound according to either claim 13 or claim 14 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 4 is unsubstituted C 1-4 -hydroxyalkyl.

16. A compound according to claim 15 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) R 4 is C 2 -hydroxyalkyl.

17. A compound according to claims 13 wherein in the compound of Formula (1) x is greater than 0.05 and less than 0.5.

18. A composition which comprises a compound of Formula (1) according to claim 13 and a liquid medium.

19. A paper, plastic, textile, metal or glass material printed by means of a process according to claim 1 .

20. A paper, plastic, textile, metal or glass material printed with a composition according to claim 7 .

21. A paper, plastic, textile, metal or glass material printed with a compound according to claim 13 .

22. An ink-jet printer cartridge comprising a chamber and an ink wherein the ink is in the chamber and the ink is as defined in claim 7 .