A series of thiol-derivatized porphyrins and the corresponding cobalt and zinc complexes were synthesized from 5-(p-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin ( H 2 TPP - NH 2), and 5α,15α-bis(o-aminophenyl)porphyrin ( H 2 DPE - ( NH 2)2). These derivatized porphyrins have a different number of thiol appendages attached via amide linkages at different locations. The thiol-derivatized porphyrins made from H 2 TPP - NH 2, H 2 TPP - NHC ( O )( CH 2) n SH ( n = 2, 4, 5, 10), have one alkyl-thiol appendage attached to the porphyrin through an amide linkage on the p-aminophenyl position. The derivatives made from H 2 DPE -( NH 2)2 have two alkyl-thiol appendages attached to the porphyrin through amide linkages on the o-aminophenyl positions on the same face of the porphyrin ring. These thiol-derivatized porphyrins are important adsorbates for the preparation of thiol–porphyrin monolayers on gold.