Corey aldehyde is a versatile, hydroxy-lactone intermediate for the synthesis of prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogs. Prostaglandin derivatives with modifications in the α chain, the ω chain, or both, are readily accessible from this general intermediate. (-)-Corey lactone diol is simply the reduced version of Corey aldehyde, with alcohol groups at both C-11 and C-13. This allows the introduction of ω chain constituents via alternate chemistries, such as nucleophilic displacements.