A process for the preparation of long-chain carbon compounds comprises: a. reacting a carboxylic acid having 21 to 30 carbon atoms with a chlorinating agent to form the acid chloride; b. separating the acid chloride and reacting it with an enamine (e.g. 1- morpholino-cyclohexene) and a hindered tertiary amine in an organic solvent while maintaining the reaction temperature at 30 DEG to 60 DEG C; c. removing the solvent and recovering the beta-diketone product; d. reacting the beta-diketone with a solution of an alkali metal hydroxide or alkoxide and an alcohol; and e. recovering the precipitated product, the salt of a ketocarboxylic acid. The salt may be converted to the free acid, which may be reduced to the corresponding aliphatic acid and alcohol. A plant growth regulator composition comprises a substantially water-soluble solution of 1-triacontanol dissolved in a polar organic solvent, said polar organic solvent being present in an amount sufficient to render said concentrate water-soluble.
