Various embodiments disclosed relate to bridged phthalocyanine- and napththalocyanine-metal complex catalysts and methods of using and purifying the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of purifying a catalyst. The method includes contacting a catalyst composition with acid, the catalyst composition including a catalyst, to provide an acidified catalyst composition with the catalyst dissolved therein. The method includes precipitating the catalyst, and removing the precipitated catalyst from solution, to provide a purified catalyst.