Δ4(10)-Octalone-1(VI) has been obtained by the Birch reduction of 5:6:7:8-tetrahydro-1-naphthyl hydroxyethyl ether (VII:R= CH2CH2OH), followed by mild acid hydrolysis- The ocalone (VI) cannot be methylated in the angular position under the usual conditions. On catalytic hydrogenation in a neutral medium it affords almost quantitatively trans-1-decalone (IX).