Used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with central nervous system activity. It serves as a building block in the development of antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs due to its ability to facilitate carbon-carbon bond formation in organic reactions. Also employed in the preparation of agrochemicals, including certain fungicides and insecticides, where the trifluoromethyl group enhances bioavailability and metabolic stability. Its bromo and ketone functional groups allow for versatile chemical modifications, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry research and development.