1-(2-Amino-5-hydroxyphenyl)propan-1-one is a useful synthetic intermediate. It is used in the asymmetrical synthesis of (S)-4-ethyl-6,7,8,10- tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-1H-pyrano[3,4-f]indolizine-3,6,10(4H)-trione, a key intermediate for synthesis of irinotecan and other camptothecin analogs. It is also used in the synthesis of E-​ring-​modified (RS)​-​camptothecin analogs as antitumor agents.