Conjugate nitrile addition to 2-(7-hydroxyheptyl) cyclopent-2-enone (IIIa) and subsequent elaboration the aldehydes [(VIa),(Xa)] affords a convenient direct route to (±)-11- deoxyprostaglandins of the E and F series. Syntheses of (±)-10-methyl-and (±)-α-nor-11- deoxyprostaglandins are also described.