What is the usage of diethyl malonate in organic synthesis?

Diethyl malonate, a colourless, fragrant liquid boiling at 199 C, is prepared by the reaction of monochloroacetatic acid with methanol, carbon monoxide or by the reaction cyanoacetic acid (the half nitriled-malonic acid) with ethyl alcohol. Diethyl malonate is an important intermediate in syntheses of vitamins B1 and B6, barbiturates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, other numerous pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and flavors & fragrances compounds.