Abstract A new photosynthetic model, in which 1,2-phenylene-bridged diporphyrin is connected with monomeric porphyrin through strapped chain, was synthesized by acid-catalyzed intramolecular cyclization reaction. Picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy has revealed the efficient unidirectional singlet-singlet energy transfer from the monomeric porphyrin to the diporphyrin.