Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of certain antihypertensive drugs and other biologically active compounds. It serves as a building block in organic synthesis due to the presence of both hydroxyl and carboxylic acid functional groups, which allow for further chemical modifications. Its chloro and hydroxy substituents make it valuable in constructing complex aromatic structures used in medicinal chemistry. Also employed in the development of agrochemicals and specialty polymers where substituted benzoic acid derivatives are required.