Beta-Carboline-1-propanoic acid is a reference standard compound, it is also a synthetic precursor compound. It is a derivative of indole and has been used in the synthesis of other indole derivatives such as indole-3-carboxaldehyde and as a starting material for the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic compounds. It has also been used to study the conformational relationships of indole-containing compounds and has been used as a model compound to study indole reactivity.