This chemical is primarily utilized in organic synthesis as an intermediate for the production of various pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Its structure, featuring a benzoate ester and a nitrile group, makes it a valuable building block in the development of complex molecules. It is often employed in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where the introduction of a cyano group or ester functionality is required. Additionally, it can be used in the preparation of specialty chemicals, such as dyes, pigments, and polymers, where its specific functional groups contribute to desired properties like stability or reactivity. Its application in research and development also extends to the creation of novel compounds for material science and medicinal chemistry studies.