Methyl 3-oxoheptanoate is used as a reagent to synthesize 4-oxymethyl-1,2-dioxanes, compounds that exhibit potent anti-malarial activity. Methyl 3-oxoheptanoate is also used as a reagent to prepare a series of substituted cyclopenta-[d]-pyrimidines, compounds that act as anti-microtubule (anticancer) agents.
