Derivatives of porphobilinogen and isoporphobilinogen

Abstract

One of the more convenient syntheses of porphobilinogen has been adapted to that of isoporphobilinogen and extended to the lactams of both. Aminomethylation of appropriate 2-free pyrroles by the Tscherniac-Einhorn method gives derivatives of porphobilinogen and isoporphobilinogen. A method for aminomethylating reactive pyrroles is illustrated by the conversion of 2,4-dimethylpyrrole into its 5-N-acetylthiocarboxamide, then into its 5-acetylaminomethyl derivative, using acetyl isothiocyanate then Raney nickel, both at ≤20 °C.