Short synthesis of the seed germination inhibitor 3,4,5-trimethyl-2(5H)-furanone

3,4,5-Trimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, a new seed germination inhibitor with very promising agrochemical applications, was efficiently synthesized from 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride via nucleophilic addition of methyllithium followed by reduction using sodium borohydride. This two-step synthesis is straightforward and high-yielding and permits the large-scale preparation of the seed germination inhibitor.