Dimeric porphyrins linked by conjugated groups containing triple bonds: the crystal structure of the nickel octaethylporphyrin dimer bridged by 2,5-diethynylthiophene

The conjugated bridge and the attached mese-carbons in the title dimer are almost coplanar; the porphyrin rings are ruffled and distorted in this vicinity, indicating strong interporphyrin interaction via the pi-orbitals of the diethynylthiophene unit.