Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of active drug substances where a benzoic acid derivative with a reactive chloromethyl group is needed. The chloromethyl functionality allows for easy alkylation or attachment to other molecules, making it valuable in creating esters, amides, or polymer-bound compounds. Commonly employed in the development of protease inhibitors and other bioactive molecules. Also utilized in the preparation of resins and functionalized polymers due to its ability to undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions. Its reactivity makes it suitable for solid-phase synthesis and linker systems in combinatorial chemistry.