Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. It serves as a building block for the preparation of various functionalized aromatic compounds due to the reactivity of the acid chloride group and the nitrile functionality. Commonly employed in the synthesis of amides, esters, and ketones through acylation reactions. Its nitrile group can be further modified to tetrazoles or reduced to aminomethyl groups, making it valuable in drug design for introducing structural diversity. Also utilized in the development of liquid crystals and functional polymers where aromatic and polar groups are required for specific material properties.