We report a fast, simple, safe, and effective procedure for the synthesis of several soluble metal tetrakis(tert-butyl)phthalocyaninates, M(TBPc) (M = Zn, Mg, Co, Cu) and M(TBPc)(2) (M = Tb, La), from the respective metal-free phthalocyanine by microwave irradiation. Metal chlorides and acetates are used as metal sources. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.