Used primarily as an intermediate in organic synthesis, particularly in the production of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. It serves as a building block for creating more complex molecules, often contributing to the development of active ingredients in drugs or pesticides. Its ethoxy and nitrile functional groups make it valuable for reactions such as nucleophilic substitution or cyanation processes. Additionally, it finds application in the research and development of new chemical compounds, aiding in the study of structure-activity relationships in medicinal chemistry.