With many 5,5'-dimethyl-and 5-bromo-5'-methyl-pyrromethenes the sequence CH3 + CH?Br + CHzOMe had been possible. With two such pyrromethenes the following new sequences have been developed: (1) CH) + CHBr? + CH(OMe)? or CHO (cf. IIIe and IVe), (2) CH(OMe):, CHO, or CH20Me + Br (cf. I I I j and I V j , (3) (dimethoxy-methyl-)pyrromethene -+ formyl-dipyrrylmethane (cf. I X and VII). These provide new intermediates for new porphyrin syntheses and alternative or improved routes to established intermediates.