This particular diketone is used as a building block in the synthesis of more complex molecules.

1,4-Cyclohexanedione is prepared in two steps from diesters of succinic acid.

Specifically under basic conditions, the diethyl succinate condenses to give the cyclohexenediol derivative diethylsuccinoylsuccinate.

This intermediate can be hydrolysed and decarboxylated to afford the desired dione.

[2] This dione condenses with malononitrile to give an intermediate that can be dehydrogenated to tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ).