PURPOSE: To advantagenously obtain the subject compd. by reacting α-acyl lactone, aldehyde and alkali metal hydroxide in an essentially equimolar ratio in an inert diluent at specific temp. while removing water and hydrogenating the reaction product under a specific condition.

CONSTITUTION: Compds. represented by formulae I-II (wherein R1-R6 are each H or a 1-20C hydrocarbon group, especially, 1-8C alkyl, 3-6C cycloalkyl, phenyl, 1-8C alkyl substd. phenyl, benzyl, 1-8C alkyl substd. benzyl and C* is 1-8C alkyl), a compd. represented by the formula, R'CHO (wherein R' is H or a 1-20C hydrocarbon group) and alkali metal hydroxide are reacted in an essentially equimolar ratio in an inert diluent at 50-150°C while reaction water is removed (ii) and the obtained product is hydrogenated under conditions not reducing a carbonyl group and not generating ring opening reaction to obtain the objective compd. represented by formula III and/or formula IV having a fruit like aroma by an improved process.