Two diverse series of nickel(II) β-iminoporphyrins were prepared in good yields by the reaction of corresponding 2-formyl-and 2-amino-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrins with primary amines and aldehydes, respectively, in toluene containing a catalytic amount of La(OTf)3 under reflux conditions. These 2-iminoporphyrins further served as precursors to construct novel nickel(II) complexes of β-substituted porphyrinic thiazolidinones in moderate yields on reaction with mercaptoacetic acid in refluxing toluene. All the synthesized porphyrins have been characterized on the basis of spectral data analysis.