Used primarily as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. It serves as a building block in the production of certain herbicides and plant growth regulators due to its chlorinated aromatic structure. The compound is also utilized in organic reactions where acylation or halogen substitution is required, making it valuable in research and development of bioactive molecules. Its methyl ketone functional group allows for further chemical modifications, enabling the creation of more complex structures in fine chemical manufacturing.