Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, particularly in the development of bioactive molecules with potential antitumor, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory properties. Its nitrile and amide functional groups allow for further chemical modifications, such as reduction of the nitrile to amine or hydrolysis of the amide to carboxylic acid, making it valuable in medicinal chemistry for constructing complex organic compounds. Also employed in the preparation of liquid crystals and functional materials due to its structural rigidity and polarity.