Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, particularly in the production of fungicides and plant growth regulators. It serves as a building block in organic reactions where the nitrile group can be transformed into other functional groups such as carboxylic acids, amines, or tetrazoles. Its aromatic structure with methyl substituents enhances reactivity in electrophilic substitution and metal-catalyzed coupling reactions, making it valuable in fine chemical manufacturing.