Ethyl propiolate is used as a precursor in the preparation of substituted anthraquinones and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine, which exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Further, it is employed in the synthesis of benzene-1,2,3,5-tetracarboxylates promoted by triphenylphosphine. Its halogenated derivatives are used as a substrate for direct, asymmetric alkynylation of cyclic beta-ketoesters using chiral phase-transfer catalysts.
