Synthesis of the 6,7‐bis[2‐methoxycarbonyl(1,1‐ dideutero)ethyl] derivative of protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester

A new total synthesis of a protoporphyrin IX derivative in which the α-methylene protons of the 13,17-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl) substituents are regioselectively deuterated is described. The deuterated porphyrin was obtained using the oxidative cyclization of an a,c-biladiene dihydrobromide.