Triacetic acid lactone (TAL;[1] 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone) is an organic compound derived enzymatically from glucose.

Triacetic acid lactone is classified as a 2-pyrone compound owing to the ketone group on the C2 carbon in its dominant form.

The microbial synthesis of triacetic acid lactone requires the enzyme 2-pyrone synthase (2-PS).

[3] This enzyme has been examined in two hosts Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

This enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of triacetic acid lactone from acetyl-CoA via two subsequent condensations with malonyl-CoA.