The total synthesis of eight biliverdin isomers was achieved by oxidation of the corresponding 1, 19-di-t-butyloxycarbonyl-b-bilencs. One of the biliverdin isomers is mesobiliverdin IX α-a dipropionate bilitriene-, one is a diacetate bilitriene, three isomers are mono-propionate-mono-acetate bilitrienes, and three are mono-propionate isomers. Their synthesis will allow a study of the substrate specificity of biliverdin reductase.
