A method of making a porphyrin (I) is carried out by condensing (i) a bis(imino)dipyrromethane of Formula II: ##STR00001## with (ii) a dipyrromethane to produce a reaction product; then (b) optionally oxidizing said reaction product with an oxidizing agent; and then (c) optionally demetallating said reaction product to produce the porphyrin. Methods of making compounds of Formula II are also described.