Used primarily as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds, particularly in the development of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic drugs. Its functional groups—cyano, amide, and chloroethyl—allow for sequential reactions such as cyclization, alkylation, and nucleophilic substitution, making it valuable in constructing complex bioactive molecules. It has been employed in the preparation of potential anticancer and central nervous system agents due to its ability to act as a building block for alkylating agents and enzyme inhibitors. Additionally, it serves in medicinal chemistry research for designing analogs of known therapeutic agents where structural modification is needed to enhance potency or bioavailability.