2-Pyrone is used in organic synthesis as a building block for more complex chemical structures because it may participate in a variety of cycloaddition reactions to form bicyclic lactones.

For example, it readily undergoes Diels-Alder reactions with alkynes producing, upon loss of carbon dioxide, substituted benzenes.

[4] Due to its good organoleptic properties[citation needed] with coconut aroma, it is used as flavor enhancer in the food industry.

[5] Derivatives of 2-pyrone play a role as signalling molecules in bacterial communication, similar to quorum sensing.

Cells with LuxR-type receptors, but lacking its homolog LuxI (and thus unable to produce N-acylhomoserine lactone QS signaling molecules) are known as LuxR "solos", to which pyrones bind as ligands facilitating cell-cell communication.