Abstract: Embodiments describe methods of synthesizing metal mesoporphyrin compounds. In embodiments, a metal mesoporphyrin compound may be formed by hemin transmetallation and subsequent hydrogenation of the tin protoporphyrin IX to form a metal mesoporphyrin. In other embodiments, a method of synthesizing a metal mesoporphyrin compound comprises forming a protoporphyrin methyl ester from hemin and converting the protoporphyrin methyl ester intermediate to a metal mesoporphyrin compound through metal insertion and hydrogenation. In other embodiments, a metal mesoporphyrin compound may be formed from hemin by a hydrogen-free hydrogenation method to form a mesoporphyrin IX intermediate followed by metal insertion and hydrogenation. In embodiments, a method of synthesizing a metal mesoporphyrin compound comprises forming a mesoporphyrin IX dihydrochloride intermediate compound and converting the mesoporphyrin IX intermediate to a metal mesoporphyrin compound through metal insertion.