The synthesis of iron(III) complexes of general formula FeCl(R-pc), where R-pc are dianionic, symmetrically halogen substituted phthalocyanines at the positions 2,9,16,23 or 1,8,15,22, from the corresponding amino substituted derivatives is described (R=Cl, Br, I). The complexes are characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The effect of substituents at the periphery and the basicity of the solvents used on the electronic spectra are discussed. The Q band of the electronic spectra for symmetrically halogen substituted derivatives are redshifted and the substituents at 2,9,16,23- positions are more effective in redshifting the Q bands than those at 1,8,15,22-positions. Depending upon the basicity of the solvents, the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transitions on Q band envelop shift to the higher energy region in the order of pyridine>DMF>DMSO. The infrared absorption signals for C-H and metal-ligand vibrations appear to be sharper for 1,8,15,22 substituted derivatives than for 2,9,16,23 substituted ones.