Porphyrinic compounds that contain solubilizing groups are described, along with methods of making and using the same and compositions comprising such compounds. Examples of such compounds include compounds of Formula (I) wherein: Z is a porphyrinic macrocyclic, Alk1 and Alk2 are each independently an alkylidene chain L is a linking group or is absent R1 is preferably an ionic group or polar group R2 is an ionic group, polar group, bioconjugatable group, or targeting group: R3 is present or absent and when present is a halo group, bioconjugatable group, or targeting group, n is O or 1 (that is, the CH group is present, or Alk1 and Alk2 are bonded directly to a carbon of the porphyrinic macrocycle Z) or a salt thereof.
