Abstract: There is described a novel process for preparing metal phthalocyanine compounds which can be hydrolyzed to form dye developers which are useful in photographic products and processes. Initially a metal phthalocyaninetetrasulfonyl halide intermediate is formed and a partial solvent for the intermediate is added to the reaction mixture which is then quenched in water to provide a three component emulsion. The intermediate is amidated directly without being isolated from emulsion. The final product is recovered and, in a preferred embodiment, is purified to provide a highly pure material which can be hydrolyzed to form a dye developer suitable for use in photographic products and processes such as diffusion transfer photographic products and processes.