Abstract A new helically chiral pentacyclic system containing one pyrrole ring was prepared in a good yield and purity via a three-step sequence involving Heck coupling and classical oxidative photocyclization. X-ray crystal structure analysis indicated that the conformation resembled that of unsubstituted pentahelicene, the idealized symmetry of which is C 2. The optical properties of the pentacyclic helicene were investigated and show interesting ...