Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) where nitrobenzonitrile derivatives serve as building blocks. Its functional groups—bromomethyl, chloro, and nitro—allow for selective substitutions, making it valuable in constructing complex organic molecules. Commonly employed in cross-coupling reactions and nucleophilic substitutions to introduce aromatic nitrile scaffolds in drug candidates. Also utilized in agrochemical research for designing novel compounds with biological activity.