The dodecylated porphyrin molecule was synthesised by the ester-exchange reaction of 10,15,20tetrakis(4-methoxycarbonylphenyl) porphyrin H2(TMCPP) in 1-dodecanol in the presence of a base catalyst (DBU), as depicted in Figure . Crystallisation of the deacylated porphyrin using dichloromethane and ethanol at 40 °C afforded the needle-like elastic crystals (1), with a minor amount of brittle block-shaped crystals (2). 1 could be bent under a mechanical force and returned to its original shape when the force is released, indicating its elasticity (Figure and Movie 1).