Four series of tetra(4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl) porphyrins(8 kinds) have been synthesized. The structures of the compounds are characterized by elemental analysis. UV-vis spectrum, FT-IR photoacoustic spectrum, 1^H NMR and MS. The domains of stability and the structure of the liquid crystalline phases are determined by optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimerials (DSC). These compounds melt to isotropic liquids well below their decomposition points and exhibit colunmar discotic mesophase, lower phase transition temperature. The lowest is TLPPZn at - 36.4℃.

Key words: PORPHYRIN, LIQUID CRYSTAL, PHASE TRANSFORMATION, ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETRY, ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS, PROTON MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROMETRY, DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY