A process of making furfural-derived ketones is disclosed. These compounds may be useful as marine antifouling agents. The process uses the steps of: reacting a furfural with 1,3-dithiopropane to form a 1,3-dithiane derivative; metalizing the 1,3-dithiane derivative to form a metalodithiane derivative; reacting the metalodithiane derivative with a halide or pseudohalide to form a ketone precursor; and hydrolyzing the ketone precursor to form a furyl ketone.