Alkynylation finds use in synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the preparation of steroid hormones. For example, ethynylation of 17-ketosteroids produces important contraceptive medications known as progestins. Examples include drugs such as Norethisterone, Ethisterone, and Lynestrenol. Hydrogenation of these compounds produces anabolic steroids with oral bioavailability, such as Norethandrolone.
Alkynylation is used to prepare commodity chemicals such as propargyl alcohol, butynediol, 2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol (a precursor to isoprenes such as vitamin A), 3-hexyne-2,5-diol (a precursor to Furaneol), and sulcatone (a precursor to Linalool).