A practical method for the synthesis of 3(2H)-furanones including the bullatenone was described. Intramolecular cyclization of 4-hydroxyalkynones in the presence of KOH affords the biologically potent furanones in moderate-to-good yield at room temperature. Synthesis of 4-hydroxyalkynones from the reaction of acid chloride and terminal alkyne in the presence of copper iodide at room temperature was also reported. [GRAPHICS] .