It is an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and organic compounds. It can also be used in the synthesis of aryl alkenes, such as phenylpropanoids. With a flowery odor, propiophenone is a component in some perfumes.
Propiophenone can be produced by a Friedel-Crafts reaction of benzene and propionic acid, propionic anhydride or propionyl chloride catalyzed by Lewis acids.