Boron complexes of [14]triphyrins(2.1.1) were prepared from free-base [14]triphyrins(2.1.1) with phenylboron dichloride. The absorption spectrum of the meso-free β-alkyl-triphyrin boron complex in CH2Cl 2 showed a broad weak band at around 640 nm assigned to transition from B-phenyl to the triphyrin, while that of the meso-aryl benzotriphyrin boron complex showed only Soret and Q bands. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.