Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals, including antihypertensive agents and other therapeutic compounds. It is also employed in the production of dyes and pigments, particularly in the creation of azo dyes, which are widely used in the textile industry. Additionally, it serves as a building block in organic synthesis for the preparation of complex molecules, including agrochemicals and specialty chemicals. Its nitrile group makes it a valuable precursor in the development of heterocyclic compounds, which are essential in medicinal chemistry.