Nickel porphyrins with 2-pyridine-acetyl substituents were synthesized in one step by the Sonogashira cross-coupling method. The structures of the products were determined by elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, UV-Vis, and X-ray spectroscopic techniques. It is suggested that cross-coupling bromonated nickel porphyrins with 2-pyridine-ethyne first yielded nickel porphyrins with 2-pyridine-ethynyl substituents, followed by in situ hydrolysis to the final products, nickel porphyrins with 2-pyridine-acetyl substituents. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.