Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), particularly in the production of benzophenone-based pharmaceuticals. It serves as a building block for compounds exhibiting anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities. Its structure allows for easy functionalization, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for developing drug candidates. Also employed in the preparation of photoinitiators used in UV-curable coatings and resins due to its conjugated carbonyl system that responds well to UV light.