The A3B and A2B2 type porphyrins having [Formula: see text]-butylcarbazole and [Formula: see text]-cyanophenyl groups are synthesized and characterized. Their palladium complexes have also been prepared and utilized as catalysts for the photo-oxidation reactions of aromatic aldehydes in good yields. Pd(II)porphyrins displayed decent phosphorescence at [Formula: see text]670 nm and were able to generate singlet oxygen upon light irradiation. The calculated singlet oxygen quantum yields for Pd(II)porphyrins were between 57% and 73%. The photo-catalytic application of Pd(II)porphyrins for aerobic oxidation of aromatic aldehydes is demonstrated.