Ethyl 2-ethyl-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutyrate is used in the synthesis of 2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl) and 2-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)pyrimidines which inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). As well Ethyl 2-ethyl-4,4,4-trifluoro-3-oxobutyrate is used in other organic reactions as a reactant.