5,5'-Diethyl- and 5-phenyldipyrromethanes participate in cycloadditions with azo- and nitrosoalkenes giving dipyrromethanes with side chains containing open chain oximes and hydrazones. By controlling reaction stoichiometry it is possible to get mono or 1,9-disubstituted derivatives. The reported methodology gave access to a range of dipyrromethanes with good structural features for various applications. It was demonstrated that reduction of dipyrromethanes containing alpha-oximino ester groups opens the way to new alpha-amino esters. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.