Described is a process for preparing solanone and norsolanadione using chemical intermediates defined according to the generic structure: ##STR1## wherein X is one of the moieties: ##STR2## wherein R represents hydrogen or methyl; wherein Y represents one of the structures: ##STR3## wherein one of the dashed lines represents a carbon-carbon single bond and the other of the dashed lines represents a carbon-carbon double bond; with the provisos that:(i) when Y is the moiety having the structure: ##STR4## then X is the moiety having the structure: ##STR5## (ii) when X is the moiety having the structure: ##STR6## then Y is the moiety having the structure:--C.tbd.N]In preparing solanone, the compound having the structure: ##STR7## or a mixture of compounds defined according to the structure: ##STR8## is reacted with methyl lithium and the resulting intermediate is hydrolyzed and the resulting compound is dehydrated. In producing the norsolanadione, the compound having the structure: ##STR9## or a mixture of compounds according to the structure: ##STR10## is reacted with ethylene glycol or propylene glycol thereby forming a ketal and the resulting ketal is reacted with methyl lithium and the resulting intermediate is then hydrolyzed in the presence of acid.