The resonance Raman (RR) spectra of nickel octaethyl porphyrin, Ni(OEP), in CH2Cl2 (solvent) at different excitations such as 514.5, 488.0, 441.6 and 406.7 nm are recorded and analysed. The results of the theory of distortion-induced RR intensity is applied to the observed spectra to determine the excited electronic state symmetry of porphyrin in Ni(OEP). It is concluded that the porphyrin molecule (D4h structure) attains a non-polar distorted structure of D2 symmetry rather than S4 symmetry in CH2Cl2 solution.
