The invention provides for tripyrrane compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein: each Q represents, typically, an alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; and each R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, alcohol group, or a carbonyl-containing group.Additionally, there are described methods to prepare such compounds, for example, comprising the steps of:(a) reacting a compound of the formula:Q--CHO or Q--CH(OS)(OS')wherein S and S' are independently lower alkyl, an aryl group containing from 5 to 14 ring atoms, and --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n =2-4;with a stoichiometric excess of a pyrrole having the formula: ##STR2## in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid; (b) removing the unreacted pyrrole or any other solvents used in (a) by evaporation to form a residue; and(c) treating the residue to remove high molecular weight polymeric materials and the corresponding dipyrromethane by-product, leaving the desired compound.