A fluorescent labeling agent contains a fluorescent dye represented by general formula (1). General formula (1): Q-Z—R.sub.1-R.sub.2-R.sub.3 (In the formula, Q represents the residue of a fluorescent dye. Z represents a direct bond, alkylene group, or arylene group. R.sub.1 represents a direct bond, —O—, —OP(═O)R.sub.4—, —OC(═O)—, —OS(═O).sub.2—, —OSiR.sub.5R.sub.6—, —C(═O)—, or —C(═O)NH—. R.sub.2 represents a group selected from the group consisting of alkylene groups, arylene groups, and heterocyclic groups, or represents a group provided by combining these groups. R.sub.3 represents —COOM.sub.1, —NR.sub.7R.sub.8, or —N.sup.+R.sub.9R.sub.10R.sub.11. Here, R.sub.4 represents a hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, alkyl group, aryl group, alkoxy group, aryloxy group, or heterocyclic group. R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 each independently represent an alkyl group, aryl group, or heterocyclic group. R.sub.7-R.sub.11 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, alkyl group, or aryl group. M.sub.1 represents a monovalent cation.)

A composition contains a phthalocyanine derivative represented by the following formula: ##STR00001##
where R.sub.1 to R.sub.8 are independently an alkyl group, M is Si, each of R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 is any one of substituents represented by the following formulas, R.sub.11 to R.sub.13 are independently an alkyl group, and R.sub.14 to R.sub.18 are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group: ##STR00002##

A composition contains a phthalocyanine derivative represented by the following formula:

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 to R.sub.8 are independently an alkyl group, M is Si, each of R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 is any one of substituents represented by the following formulas, R.sub.11 to R.sub.13 are independently an alkyl group, and R.sub.14 to R.sub.18 are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group:

##STR00002##

Provided are a novel phthalocyanine compound, which has strong absorption in a near-infrared range, extremely weak absorption in a visible range, and high durability, and exhibits excellent solubility in an organic solvent or a resin, a process for producing the phthalocyanine compound, an intermediate, and uses thereof.

The phthalocyanine compound is represented by General Formula (1),

##STR00001##

In which in Formula (1), R represents an alkyl group or an aryl group, X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or an alkyl group, X's can form an aromatic ring by being bonded to each other, M represents two hydrogen atoms, a divalent metal, or a derivative of a trivalent or tetravalent metal, and n represents an integer of 3 to 6.