A simple high-yielding synthesis of water soluble ruthenium phthalocyanine complexes, (Pc)RuL(2), is reported. Use of an unsubstituted or symmetrically substituted phthalocyanine ring and solubilizing ligands axially coordinated to the central ruthenium allowed pure compounds, without positional isomers, to be made, Key to the success of the synthesis is the use of a soluble (Pc)RuL(2) intermediate with labile nitrile axial ligands that could be easily and completely substituted. A range of axial ligands was introduced into the (Pc)Ru moiety including pyridines, alkyl amines. amino acids, and phosphines.