Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry for constructing complex molecules with bioactive properties. Its aldehyde functionality allows for versatile reactivity, including condensation and nucleophilic addition reactions, making it valuable in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). It is also employed in fragrance chemistry due to the aromatic and aliphatic components contributing to unique olfactory profiles. The strained cyclobutyl ring can influence conformational behavior in target molecules, enhancing selectivity in drug design.