meso-Tetra (2′- and 3′-thienyl)porphyrins and their Zn(II)-complexes were examined by steady-state fluorescence measurements. These molecules exhibit significant bathochromic shift in their emission bands with decreased quantum yields relative to their correspondingmeso-tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives. The crystal structure of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3′-thienyl)porphinato zinc(II) shows planar and nonplanar stereochemical features of the macrocycle. One of the macrocycle shows nearly planar while the other exhibited predominantly saddle-shaped geometry. The extent of displacement of the Β-pyrrole carbons in the nonplanar (saddle) conformation is as high as ± 0·422 Å.

Crystal structure of 2,3,12,13-tetrabromo-5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-butyloxy phenyl)porphinato copper(II) tetrahydrofuran solvate was examined and it features enhanced non-planar distortion of the porphyrin ring. The normal coordinate structural decomposition (NSD) analysis for the out-of-plane displacement of atoms of the macrocyclic ring in CuT(4-C$_n$P)PBr4 ($n = 4, 6$) indicates mainly saddled distortion combined with small contribution from wave conformation. The electrochemical studies on MT (4-C$_n$P)PBr₄ (M = 2H, Cu(II), Zn(II)) revealed cathodic shift in redox potentials in contrast to the corresponding brominated porphyrins, MTPPBr₄. This is perhaps due to non-planarity of the porphyrin ring and the positive inductive effect of the alkyloxy groups.