Scheme 1.

Synthetic pathways for the target compounds: Conventional route consisting of a 3 step synthesis including condensation, demethylation, and acylation steps; Alternatively, a pre‐functionalization pathway consisting of 2 steps to include the preparation of aldehyde and porphyrin condensation to yield the target compound; Aldehydes 9A, 10A, 8 and 9 were successfully re‐crystallized forming crystalline compounds that were later analyzed via X‐ray crystallography, non‐essential hydrogen atoms, solvent, and counter anion molecules omitted for clarity, thermal ellipsoids give 50 % probability.