Using a combination of Kumada, Suzuki and Biellmann chemistry, various menaquinones can synthesized rapidly and with stereochemical integrity offering a new way of preparing these vitamin K2 components for the pharmaceutical market. In one embodiment a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) is defined including a step in which (i) a compound of formula (II) is reacted formula (III) wherein R is an alkyl group; LG is a leaving group; m is an integer from 0 to 8; n is an integer from 0 to 9; and X is hydrogen, halide, hydroxyl or protected hydroxyl; in the presence of a copper, nickel or palladium catalyst.