Used primarily as a building block in organic synthesis, this compound serves as a key intermediate in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds, particularly pyrazoles and isoxazoles, which are common scaffolds in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its β-keto ester functionality allows for facile alkylation, condensation, and cyclization reactions. It is also employed in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the tert-butyl ester group acts as a protecting group, enabling selective reactions at other functional sites. Additionally, it finds use in the development of specialty polymers and in the manufacture of flavor and fragrance compounds due to its reactivity in forming complex esters.