A method of preparing ethodolac by reacting furan with a reactive derivative of propionic acid, reacting 2-propionyl furan with an ester of a haloacetic acid oxidising an ester of 3-hydroxy-3(2'-furyl)-pentanoic acid protecting the hydroxy group of the resulting pyran derivative and hydrogenolysis and reduction therof, condensation of 5,6-dihydro-2-ethyl-2-carboxymethyl-2H-pyran(4H)-one or an ester thereof with 2-ethylphenylhydrazine and finally, when the resulting product is an ester, hydrolysis thereof.