The synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of the octanitro-substituted porphyrin 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-dinitrophenyl)porphyrin, H 2 T (3,5- DNP ) P , are described. The solid state structure has two porphyrins in the unit cell with eight pyridine solvates and is made up from columnar arrays of the porphyrins. X-ray crystal structure data: monoclinic, space group P1 21/n1, a = 14.9996(9) Å, b = 8.2489(5) Å, c = 24.818(2) Å, α = 90 °, β = 104.172(1) °, γ = 90 °, V = 2977.3(3) Å3, dcalc = 1.440 g m-3, Z = 2.