Mixed condensation of 1,2-dicyanofullerene (1) and 3,6-dibutyloxyphthalonitrile (2a) in the presence of nickel chloride dihydrate (NiCl2 center dot 2H(2)O) in quinoline forms an alpha-hexabutyloxy-substituted tribenzotetraazachlorin (TBTAC)-fullerene (C-60) conjugate (3). UV-vis absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) properties of 3 have been obtained, and the results compared with those of the beta-substituted isomer (4). Although the absorption spectra of 3 and 4 are similar in shape, a significant band shift to longer wavelength is observed for 3. According to the results of DFT calculations, the observed spectroscopic differences are ascribed to differences in the distribution of the MO amplitudes at the alpha- and beta-positions of the TBTAC moiety.