Abstract: The invention provides new synthetic routes for cardiolipin with different fatty acids and/or alkyl chains with varying chain length and also with or without unsaturation. The reaction schemes can be used to generate new forms of cardiolipin, including cardiolipin variants. The cardiolipin prepared by the present methods can conveniently be incorporated into liposomes and other lipid formulations that can also include active agents such as hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs. Such formulations can be used to treat diseases or in diagnostic and/or analytical assays. Liposomes also can include ligands, e.g., for targeting them to a cell type or specific tissue.