Application of phthalocyanines in flow- and sequential-injection analysis and microfluidics systems: A review

• Pc and MPc importance in health sciences (cancer photodynamic therapy).
• Structure relationships of Pc and MPc as sensitizers linked health to Anal. Sci.
• CFA, FIA, SIA, ZF and MF shortly outlined.
• Applications of Pc and MPc detailed in key articles in flow-systems.
• Merits concluded with exciting prospects for future research.

Phthalocyanines and metallophthalocyanines play a very important role in the metabolism of living organisms through biological pigments or biochromes and are therefore also employed in numerous applications in analytical chemistry. In flow-, and sequential-injection analysis and microfluidic systems the role of phthalocyanines and metallophthalocyanines is centered as either that of analyte or that of a reagent or modifier in the determination of other species. This paper covers the attributes of phthalocyanines and metallophthalocyanines complexes as enhancements in chemical analysis in flow- and sequential injection analysis and microfluidic systems and points out the advantages and disadvantages in the implementation thereof.