Six series of meso-tetrakis (4-n-alkanoyloxyphenyl) porphyrin Co and Ni complexes (12 kinds) were reported. Nine of the compounds were found to exhibit liquid crystal properties and display a hexagonal columnar discotic columnar (Col h ) phase. Molecular structure of all synthesized compounds was confirmed by IR, UV, MS, 1 H NMR, and elemental analysis. These liquid crystalline compounds have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, luminescence, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy.porphyrin liquid crystal, cyclic voltammetry, luminescence, surface photovoltage spectroscopy