Method for preparing biliverdin or derivative thereof

A method for preparing biliverdin or a derivative thereof, the method comprising:

• dissolving a raw material comprising a compound represented by formula 2 in a solvent selected from the group consisting of substituted benzene, pyrrolidone, dimethyl formamide (DMF), and tetrahydrofuran (THF), and a mixture thereof to obtain a resulting mixture:
• formula 2
• wherein:
• R is hydrogen, C1-C5 alkyl, or benzyl;
• “” at positions A and B independently represent a single bond or a double bond;
• when “” represents a single bond, R1 or R2 connected to the single bond is selected from one of p-toluenesulfonyl, phenylsulfonyl, phenylsulfinyl;
• and
• when “” represents a double bond, R1 or R2 connected to the double bond is hydrogen;
• heating the resulting mixture;
• removing the solvent to obtain a residue;
• and
• extracting the residue to obtain the biliverdin or the derivative thereof,
• wherein the biliverdin or the derivative thereof is a compound represented by formula 1
• wherein heating the resulting mixture at a temperature of 100-160° C.,
• wherein the biliverdin or the derivative thereof is prepared with the compound represented by formula 2 in the presence of a catalyst,
• wherein the catalyst is pyridine.