A highly dispersed, unsupported, electrocatalyst made of pyrolyzed porphyries and a method for synthesizing the same. The disclosed synthesis procedure allows for optimization of pore size and therefore transport properties. Compounds suitable for use include transition metal N.sub.4-chelates such as, but not necessarily limited to, N.sub.4-chelates containing different metal centers including Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Ru, Cu, etc., and other N.sub.4-chelates such as porphyrin, phthalocyanies, and structures based on their pyro products.