The present invention relates to the side chain functionalization of fimbrolides (halogenated 3-alkyl-5-methylene-2(5H)-furanones) and their synthetic analogues, that yields fimbrolides substituted with a halogen, an oxygen or a nitrogen functionality in the alkyl chain, especially fimbrolide alcohols, caboxylate and sulfinate and sulfonate esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, acids, amides, nitro derivatives, hydrophobic, hydrophilic and fluorophilic alkyl derivatives and polymers.