The N-bromosuccinimide bromination of the zinc derivative of meso-tetramesitylporphyrin, Zn(TMP), in methanol at reflux in air, gives the corresponding (β-pyrrole)octabromo derivative, meso-tetramesityl-βoctabromoporphyrinatozinc, Zn(Br8TMP), in high yield (60-75%). Furthermore, the sulfonation by oleum of the metal-free ligand gives the persulfonated porphyrin, meso-tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)-β-octabromoporphyrin, Br8TMPSH2 (70-75%). These robust manganese and iron derivatives are efficient catalysts in oxygen atom or electron transfer reactions. © 1990.