Synthesis of the starting nitrile 1 and rare-earth metal bisphthalocyanines 2–4. Reagents and conditions: (i) N-bromosuccinimide, DMF, 0–25 °C, 65%. (ii) 1. Li, n-pentanol, 3 h, 135 °C, 2. (CH3COO)3Me, DMF, 10 h, 140 °C, 2—Me = Pr 29%, 3—Me = Sm 16%, 4—Me = Gd 34%