WHEREIN X is an integer having a value from 0 to 6 inclusive and Y is an integer having a value from 3 to 8 inclusive. It also provides for new methods of making compounds useful in the synthesis of zearalanone and related compounds. The compounds 6-acetoxyhexanoic acid; 2-(5-hexenoyl)cyclohexanone; 7-keto-11-dodecenoic acid; 2-hydroxyethyl 7-keto11-dodecenoate ethylene ketal; N,N-dimethyl 7-keto-11dodecenamide ethylene ketal; 7-keto-11-dodecenal ethylene ketal; 9-keto-2,13-tetradecadienic acid ethylene ketal; 2-hydroxyethyl 9-keto-2,13-tetradecadienoate ethylene ketal; the sodium salt of ethyl 6-(6-keto-10-undecenyl)- Beta -dihydroresorcylate ethylene ketal; ethyl 3-bromo-6-(6-keto-10-undecenyl)- Beta dihydroresorcylate ethylene ketal; ethyl 6-(6-keto-10-undecenyl)Beta -resorcylate ehtylene ketal; ethyl 6-(6-keto-10-undecenyl)Beta -resorcylate ethylene ketal dibenzyl ether; ethyl 6-(6keto-10-hydroxyundecyl)- Beta -resorcylate ethylene ketal dibenzyl ether; and 6-(10-hydroxy-6-keto-undecyl)- Beta resorcylic acid dibenzyl ether are disclosed. Methods for preparing these compounds are also disclosed.

This invention provides a new synthesis for zearalanone and for related compounds having more or fewer carbon atoms in the nonaromatic ring than does zearalanone, which related compounds and zearalanone are represented by the formula