Zn(II) tetra-4-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-phthalocyanine (1a), Zn(II) tris-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-[4-(4-mercapto-phenylimino-methyl)-phenoxy] (1b) and Zn(II) tris-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-[4-(4-formyl)-phenoxy] (1c) phthalocyanine were synthesized. The molecular structures were confirmed by LC–MS, 1H NMR, FT-IR and UV–vis spectra. Spin coated layers of these phthalocyanines have been used as optochemically interactive materials for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the UV–vis spectral range. An optical characterization in controlled atmosphere have been carried out by acquiring the absorption spectra of the phthalocyanine complexes both in dry-air and in the presence of different volatile organic compounds in order to study the optical sensing properties of these thin organic layers towards specific volatile organic compounds. The optical absorption spectra have been analyzed by using a …