A series of azobenzene-substituted porphyrin derivatives, MPA(n) (M = H-2, Zn; n = 1, 2, 4), has been prepared. These compounds were characterized by spectral and electrochemical methods. The Soret and Q bands of ZnPA(n) were red-shifted along with the increase of Q-band intensity ratio (epsilon(u)/epsilon(beta)) as the substitution of azobenzene increased. Addition of imidazole towards ZnPA(n) caused a significant increase in Q band intensity ratio. A noteworthy characteristic is that the Q band intensity ratio was reversed (>1.0) by imidazole ligation for ZnPA(4). Additionally, cyclic voltammetry of H(2)PA(n) exhibited anodic shift of the first oxidation potential but cathodic shift for the second oxidation potential for porphyrin free bases as azobenzene number increased. According to DFT calculation, the unusual features in UV-vis spectra and redox potentials arised mainly due to the intramolecular pi-conjugation between porphyrin and azobenzene. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.